Ratepayers await a definitive answer on the city’s 2025 operating and capital budgets, however at last Monday’s council meeting some serious pencil sharpening was evident.
The process began with a proposed 4.93 per cent hike to the municipal tax levy next year.
However, after more than two hours of deliberations, that hike has been whittled down to about a 3.8 per cent increase.
This was accomplished by dipping into reserves for an additional $650,000 to soften the hit on ratepayers next year.
Next year’s proposed levy is almost $74.5 million, up from just shy of $69 million this year, an 8.13 per cent increase.
Factor in the estimated additional growth-related tax of 3.2 per cent and ratepayers were looking at a 4.93 per cent hike.
Tag Archives: long-term debt
‘If we’re healthy on the inside, we will be healthy on the outside to deliver services to the community’ – incoming St. Thomas Police Chief Marc Roskamp
The city’s new police chief – as of January next year – wants to ensure the St. Thomas Police Service continues to deliver services to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
That was abundantly evident during our conversation this week with current Deputy Chief, Marc Roskamp.
He’s a 25-year veteran of the St. Thomas Police Service with 16 years in uniform patrol before moving up to the Criminal Investigation Branch and then being appointed Deputy Chief in 2018.
The announcement of the retirement of Chief Chris Herridge and the promotion of Roskamp has an added personal touch.
Born and raised in Chatham, Roskamp’s father was also involved in policing.
“My father was a police officer in Chatham and, coincidently, he retired as the chief of police for the Chatham Police Service.
“So this is quite an honour, both personally and professionally, for myself and my family.
“My research tells me it is rare to have a father and then a son reach the office of chief.”
