The County of Essex passed a fiscally responsible Budget Wednesday night that maintains service levels despite significant inflationary pressures and addresses ongoing pandemic-related health care challenges while making substantial investments in infrastructure to accommodate economic growth and improve the quality of life of residents.
The 2023 Budget includes funding to complete an update to the Official Plan and for the creation of the County’s first-ever Strategic Plan, a guiding document that will help the newly elected Council define goals and objectives for the next term and formulate an overarching vision for the future. As well, the Budget includes funding for implementation projects associated with the Regional Energy Plan, which can be used to leverage funding from the senior levels of government.
“This budget addresses the ongoing challenges of the pandemic and maintains service levels despite extraordinary inflationary pressures,” said Sandra Zwiers, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer. “It makes significant infrastructure investments to accommodate anticipated residential and commercial growth while supporting vital social programs and the new Windsor Essex Hospitals System.”
The County’s $69.7 million road construction program for 2023 includes $43.6 million for capacity expansion and $19.7 million for road rehabilitation projects spanning more than 35 km, including more than $5 million for the largest bridge rehabilitation program in recent history. There is also a $5.2 million investment in the County Wide Active Transportation System, including nearly $3 million for paved shoulder projects that make County roads safer for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
The ongoing impacts of COVID-19 are reflected in this Budget, particularly as it relates to Sun Parlor Home and Essex-Windsor EMS. Both have had to significantly alter operations in response to the pandemic and both face inflationary pressures and ongoing recruitment challenges common to the broader health care sector
Staffing hours are being increased at Sun Parlor Home to meet the target set by the province of providing care to each resident for at least 3 hours and 42 minutes per day for 2023-24. The ultimate target is four hours per resident per day by March 31, 2025 and Sun Parlor Home is on track to meet it.
The cost of the 12 Paramedics hired midway through 2022 has been annualized in the 2023 EWEMS Budget, which also addresses significant inflationary costs related to fuel, fleet repair and medical supplies. Ongoing pandemic-related costs include the continuation of doffing sites at area hospitals, uniform cleaning and mental wellness supports for first responders. The Budget also includes funding to complete the new ambulance base in Kingsville and for land acquisition costs for a new EMS base in LaSalle.
The 2023 Budget includes funding for year two of a 20-year commitment to the Bridge Youth Resource Centre to support affordable housing units in Leamington and it continues to fund the Homelessness Hub, a two-year pilot project with Family Services Windsor-Essex that launched in September. The Budget also provides an additional $200,000 to support the renewal of aging affordable housing stock, bringing this year’s contribution to $1.85 million.
This Budget adds an additional $6.36 million to the reserve for the new regional hospital, which now has a construction start date of 2026, a year earlier than previously announced. With this year’s investment, the County now has more than $40 million set aside for the transformational project.
“This Budget provides support to the members of our community who need it most and it addresses the ongoing affordable housing crisis with dedicated funding and innovative programs,” said Warden Hilda MacDonald. “It addresses the County’s current needs while laying the foundation for a significantly improved health care system and continued economic growth and diversification.”
The Budget includes funding for a mechanic/operator, a records information management analyst, a human resources assistant and the mid-year addition of an IT employee and Co-Op student.
The 2023 tax rate increase is 3.81 per cent for a municipal levy of $123,599,230.
That translates into an additional $18.95 for every $100,000 of assessment – bringing the county portion of municipal taxes to $515.71 for every $100,000 of assessment.
Highlights:
Roads: A $69.7 million construction program, including $43.6 million for capacity expansion and $19.7 million for road rehabilitation projects totalling more than 35 km.
CWATS: $5.2 million for active transportation projects, including nearly $3 million for paved shoulder projects.
Essex-Windsor EMS: Investments in Paramedic safety and mental wellness and land acquisition costs for a new EMS base.
Sun Parlor Home: Increased staffing hours to provide enhanced care for residents
Housing: Increases funding of social housing stock by $200,000 to $1.85 million. Continues funding to Bridge Youth Resource Centre and the Homelessness Hub in Leamington.
Hospital: Invests $6.36 million toward the County’s $100-million commitment to the new hospital, bringing the total set aside to more than $40 million.
Credit Rating: AAA with a stable outlook.