County Council Highlights for Aug. 10, 2022

Warden Urges Residents to Participate in Upcoming Municipal Election

Warden Gary McNamara urged Essex County residents to do all they can to participate in the Ontario municipal election on Oct. 24.

“We want to see a wide diversity of passionate candidates with a commitment to serving their communities,” he said during Wednesday’s Essex County council meeting. “If you are one of those people, we encourage you to step forward. If you know one of those people, encourage them to step forward.”

The deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers is Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.

Elected municipal representatives “make a big difference in the lives of local residents. They are the ones who take your calls about potholes and flooded basements. They are the ones who show up at community events and celebrations, where you can tap them on the shoulder for a chat,” McNamara said.

The engagement of residents with their local governments over the last 230 years has played a critical role in shaping Essex County, he said.

He noted that many current members of municipal councils will be gathering in Ottawa for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario annual conference Aug. 14 to Aug. 17 to discuss strategies, share information and voice their concerns to provincial ministers.

Work on Regional Affordable Housing Strategy Underway

Work has begun on a regional affordable housing strategy for Windsor and Essex County, with plans to create a working group that includes representatives from all municipalities, council was informed.

Council was also presented with the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee 2021 Annual report, and updated by Human and Health Services staff from the City of Windsor, which is the consolidated municipal service manager responsible for overseeing social and affordable housing services for the region.

Council members in the last several years have been calling for more funding and investments to reduce homelessness and increase the amount of affordable housing in Essex County. In March, council asked for detailed information about housing services and initiatives provided by the city for the county. The city supplied the information in a letter in delivered in May.

Kingsville Deputy Mayor Appointed to Library Board

Kingsville Deputy Mayor Gord Queen has been appointed to the Essex County Library board, replacing former mayor Nelson Santos.

Santos, who was also deputy warden of Essex County, stepped down in July to become chief administrative officer for the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio. Since the Ontario municipal election is only two months away, it was decided to not fill the deputy warden’s position and Santos’ spots on the Essex County striking committee and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island board.

CAO Given Temporary Authority to Act if Council Becomes ‘Lame Duck’

Given the likelihood that the current county council will become ‘lame duck’ after the Aug. 19 deadline for municipal candidates to file their nominations, council has delegated temporary authority to CAO Mike Galloway.

Under the Municipal Act, county council is restricted from taking certain actions if, after the deadline, fewer than 75 per cent of the current mayors and deputy mayors have filed nomination papers.

In that case, from Aug. 19 until a new county council is sworn in on Nov. 23, Galloway or the acting CAO is authorized to appoint or remove department heads, dispose of property owned by the County of Essex and approve unbudgeted expenditures or liabilities exceeding $50,000. It is not anticipated that the CAO will have to use this authority, but if he does, a report outlining his plan to act will be presented to council. As well, at the first regular meeting of the new council, a summary of acts performed under the temporary authority will be presented.