CK Budget Opening Night On Facebook Live

Don't worry if you can't make it to this year's budget presentation in Chatham-Kent, the municipality will be streaming it live on Facebook.

The municipality announced that the budget presentation on Wednesday, January 17 will be available to all residents through Facebook Live by visiting Chatham-Kent’s Facebook page beginning at 6pm. The draft budget will be presented and followed by any submissions from residents.

According to a news release, last year’s presentation had 2,600 views and reached nearly 18,000 people.

Budget Chair Derek Robertson says he welcomes participation in the budget process through all outlets.

“The more people who are involved, the better direction council receives and in theory the better our result will be,” he says. “The level of service set by the council must be directly reflective of the needs in our community and what better way than receiving input from all corners of Chatham-Kent.”

The budget presentation will also be available on YourTV Chatham-Kent on standard definition channel 11, channel 6 in Wallaceburg, and HD channel 700.

In addition to Wednesday’s session, community open house sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Tuesday, January 23 from 4:30pm to 6pm at the Ridgetown Municipal Office (45 Main Street E. in Ridgetown) and the Tilbury Arena/Ryder Hall (55 Bond Ave. in Tilbury)
• Wednesday, January 24 from 4:30pm to 6pm at Blenheim High School Cafeteria (163 Chatham St. S. in Blenheim) and the Wallaceburg Municipal Office (786 Dufferin Ave. in Wallaceburg)
• Thursday, January 25 from 4:30pm to 6pm at the Active Lifestyle Centre (20 Merritt Ave. in Chatham)

Budget Committee deliberations are scheduled for January 30, 31, and February 1 from 6pm to 10pm in the council chambers at the Civic Centre.

Written and verbal presentations of up to five minutes are welcome each evening. Speakers can sign up at the door, but are encouraged to contact ckfps@chatham-kent.ca in advance.

If you are unable to attend any of the sessions, your comment can also be made by email to ckfps@chatham-kent.ca, by mail to Budget & Performance Services, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, 315 King St. W, P.O. Box 640, Chatham, Ontario, N7M 5K8, or by telephoning Budget & Performance Services at 519-360-1998.