Cambridge mayor uses strong powers in final 2025 budget discussion

Rate payers in Cambridge should know by early next week, by how much their property taxes will go up next year.

Council has voted on several budget amendments and there was only one that didn’t pass. In fact, that lone motion was vetoed by Jan Liggett using her strong mayor powers.

That motion was tabled by Cambridge Ward 4 Councillor Ross Earnshaw. He requested a $100,000 contribution to Cambridge Memorial Hospital’s patient care equipment fundraising campaign.

While provincial hospital funding covers operating costs, it does not cover equipment.

While on The Mike Farwell Show, Earnshaw was asked whether or not he was surprised by the mayor’s veto.

“No not really,” he said. “During the debate on the amendment when I first brought it forward, the mayor indicated some difficulty with the concept on the basis that in past contributions there had been a specific piece of equipment. Whereas this campaign is more generalized.”

Liggett was concerned nothing was preventing the hospital from using the funds for operating costs and she didn’t think this was something council should be involved in.

In defence of the amendment, Earnshaw said it was a chance for council to lead by example in hopes of increasing donations to the fundraiser.

Despite the reasoning, Liggett chose to reject the amendment.

Earnshaw does have the option to bring back the amendment in hopes of getting two-thirds of council on board to override the veto. But he said he’s not interested in that.

“I have decided that I don’t wish to pursue that, myself. I have spoke to a couple of other councillors about it and they are contemplating whether they would do that. But, I’ve decided I don’t want to spearhead that.”

A 10-day override period, which allows councillors to resubmit amendments, expires at noon on Monday, Dec. 9. Should the budget be adopted as is, the average homeowner in Cambridge would see their property taxes increase by $21.98 a year.