Chatham-Kent council was in a giving mood in the first night of budget deliberations, throwing out a number of recommended service cuts.
In addition to keeping the Bothwell arena open, they've also voted to keep the Brunner Centre and Jaycee Pool from shutting down. Fees for Public Works projects were also discussed at length, and were eventually removed from the draft budget as well.
Budget Chair Derek Robertson says addressing service cuts early is important for the rest of the budget process.
"I didn't think we'd see the volume [of service cuts] we ended up discussing. But we did change up the agenda to specifically address them at the front end, because we all know that's the most difficult portion of the budget. Now council can come in and be innovative and creative."
At the end of day one, the Chatham-Kent tax impact stands at 3.43%, up from 3.29% when the budget was first introduced. But Robertson doesn't like to think of it that way.
"I like to think of it, not in terms of ground we have to make up. Rather, we're following through with the process, as hard and arduous as it is, climbing a hill before we slide down to the valley."
Budget deliberations continue Wednesday night, and will include a presentation by Chatham-Kent police and a closed session for council.
