The Kent Federation of Agriculture is applauding the Municipality of Chatham-Kent for committing to infrastructure in the 2020 draft budget.
Municipal staff are proposing a 4.99 per cent tax increase for 2020. Included in that amount, is a one per cent recommended increase in the annual funding for infrastructure for a total infrastructure levy of 2.74 per cent.
The Kent Federation of Agriculture (KFA), a farm organization representing around 1,900 Chatham-Kent farm businesses, had a positive reaction to seeing that an increase in infrastructure spending is being considered.
KFA President Jay Cunningham said spending more money on roads and bridges is important for Chatham-Kent's agricultural industry, which requires infrastructure to operate efficiently.
"A one per cent increase in infrastructure is exactly what we have been working towards for a number of years to try and push that agenda for the municipality and their budget process," he said. "Infrastructure is vitally important to our members and the rural residents in Chatham-Kent. Without good infrastructure, we lose grounds
Cunningham said the KFA has worked tirelessly over the last several years to advocate for money infrastructure funding. He said the KFA has both listened to the challenges the municipality faces with infrastructure and tried to offer solutions.
"We have members from our board who are regularly attending infrastructure meetings," explained Cunningham. "We're part of the infrastructure committee, we are attending regular council meetings, interacting with council members, interacting with administration members."
According to Cunningham, farmland and building taxes in Chatham-Kent have increased 92.98 per cent between 2011 and 2019. Because of this, the KFA is hoping that any money that does go to infrastructure is used very efficiently. Last month, the KFA held its annual meeting which included a presentation from two companies that specialize in alternative bridge solutions, including fibreglass and buried steel bridges, instead of traditional concrete.
Cunningham said he hopes these kinds of innovative solutions are embraced by the municipality whenever possible.
"If we're going to try and get to where we need to be, as soon as we need to be, we have to look outside the box," he said. "All we're saying is, can we please make sure we're looking at all the options, covering all our basis and spending our money as efficiently and as effectively as we can."
Whether or not the infrastructure spending gets approved will depend on how to budget discussions go. Deliberation meetings will be held on January 28, 29 and 30 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Civic Centre. Cunningham said the KFA will be following the meetings very closely and plan to be as involved in the process as possible.
"I'm happy that we're getting some interest in this because it impacts everybody," said Cunningham.