County Council Highlights for Jan. 17, 2024

Warden Applauds Homelessness Hub Warming Centre

Warden Hilda MacDonald praised staff and regional partners for opening a nighttime warming centre at the Essex County Homelessness Hub this week.

The Homelessness Hub, a drop-in centre in Leamington, is opening its doors from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. daily to anyone in Essex County experiencing homelessness. As well, transportation is available from anywhere in the county as long as the warming centre is operating, likely until April 1.

“The credit for making this happen in a timely way goes to Essex County manager of community services Jeanie Diamond-Francis and our Homelessness Hub partners,” the warden said. “I have seen first-hand how they go above and beyond to try to ensure no one is left out in the cold or without a helping hand when needed.”

MacDonald also thanked road maintenance crews for Essex County and local municipalities for “being out there at all hours and in all conditions keeping our roadways cleared” during a week when winter temperatures and snowfalls walloped the region.

Road User Agreements Authorized for High-Speed Internet Cable

The County of Essex will execute road user agreements with XPLORE Communications Inc. and North Frontenac Telephone Corporation Ltd. to allow them to install and maintain fibre optic cable along county roads.

Council authorized the agreements, which allow for the installation of cable for high-speed internet service by XPLORE throughout Essex County and by Northern Frontenac along roads on the east side of the county so that the company can provide service to Pelee Island.

2024 Budget Approved

Council approved a 2024 Budget of $132 million that represents a levy increase of $8.7 million. That translates into a tax hike of $63.88 for a home assessed at $250,000. A 2024 Budget news release summarizes the highlights.

McNamara Re-appointed to the SWIFT Board of Directors

Council supported the re-appointment of Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara to the board of SWIFT, a non-profit, municipally-led broadband expansion project to improve internet connectivity in underserved communities and rural areas across Southwestern Ontario.