When Chatham-Kent's draft municipal budget is unveiled next week, it will feature a big focus on investing in infrastructure.
Councillor Derek Robertson, who's also serving as the budget chair again this year, says that's a concern he heard from every corner of the municipality.
"We heard loud and clear from our community that roads and bridges are principal to our economic engine, our livelihood, and our simple ability to get around," says Robertson. "It will produce a greater spend toward our infrastructure than we probably have ever seen before in this municipality."
Construction progressing on the Parry Bridge on Keil Dr., August 4, 2016 (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Another key focus will be maintaining community assets, which include libraries and arenas.
Robertson says the budget is expected to start with a proposed tax increase of about 2%.
"From a starting point, it's the probably the lowest starting point we've seen yet from my seven years on council," says Robertson. "Many years we've seen budgets that have been presented in the 4.5% range or higher and those are very difficult to deliberate through -- I think this one will have a much more reasonable path."
As for how long the discussions will take, Robertson says it's impossible to predict.
"That's always a tricky question," says Robertson. "The budget processes range from four days to about eight days over the six budgets that I've been a part of. My feeling is at this time that we may see a bit more efficient result."
Robertson says he believes council may be able to work through the process more quickly this time, because the budget doesn't include a list of items on it that are threatening to community assets. However, he also admits that will limit the ability of the administration to come up with a budget that will be at what he calls the "magical 0%."
The draft 2017 budget will be presented to Chatham-Kent Council starting at 6pm Wednesday, January 18 at the Civic Centre on King St. W in Chatham.