Spending $5.3-million in 2013 on consultants is the cost of getting projects done in Chatham-Kent, according to municipal officials.
Director of Financial Services Gord Quinton says unless more in-house experts are hired, outside expertise is needed to complete a range of municipal projects.
"There are lots of complicated jobs that are studied," says Quinton. "Often the consultant has the expertise to do the job for the best value for the constituents."
Quinton also points out $2.3-million of the $5.3-million total was spent on one-time projects in the municipality in 2013 and suggests council could start there if it was looking to reign in consultant spending.
Council received the report on 2013 use of consultants for information after some discussion over resident concerns on the topic.