County Council Highlights for Sept. 4, 2024
Come to the Outdoor Accessibility Fest-for-All, Warden Urges
Warden Hilda MacDonald, in her opening remarks at Wednesday’s Essex County Council meeting, encouraged everyone to visit the first-ever Outdoor Accessibility Fest-for-All on Sept. 13.
The free public event hosted by the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee will be held at Colchester Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“There will be demonstrations and exhibits focused on making the outdoors accessible to those of all abilities,” the warden said. “Want to try adaptive rowing? The LaSalle Rowing Club will be there to demonstrate how its done. There will also be adaptive fitness classes and basketball, and more than two dozen other exhibits and demonstrations.”
More information about the event is available on the Outdoor Accessibility Fest-for-All web page.
MacDonald reminded residents they have until Monday (Sept. 9) to complete the Windsor-Essex Regional Affordable Housing Strategy Survey. The survey will be used to develop the strategy by providing information about what kinds of housing people in Essex County and Windsor need, what problems they face finding quality housing that they can afford and what they want for the future.
“This information will help us improve housing in the region, so please participate,” the warden said.
MacDonald also highlighted two campaigns that are launching this month with the steadfast support of Essex-Windsor EMS.
The 22nd Annual Face to Face campaign encourages people to ask 10 people for $10 to donate in support of the Patient Transportation Program of the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County. The program makes use of an ambulance donated by Essex-Windsor EMS and staffed by volunteer Paramedics. It provides palliative patients last chances for special trips, like attending a family reunion, visiting their home to say farewell or spending a day in the park and watching the sunset with loved ones. Learn more about the campaign on the Hospice website!
MacDonald also lauded the Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County for heading up local activities for Suicide Awareness Month, which is marked in September. Everyone can show support is by participating in a Suicide Awareness Walk in Lakeshore, Leamington or Windsor on Sunday, Sept. 29, MacDonald said. More information is available on the CMHA Windsor-Essex County website.
Wardens’ Caucus Presents its Priorities
Housing affordability, infrastructure to support growth, workforce retention and expansion, and addressing mental health, addictions and homelessness are the current priorities for the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC), council was told.
The WOWC, which represents 15 upper and single tier municipalities in Southwestern Ontario, is also supporting calls for the province to participate in a review to put municipalities on a solid fiscal footing, and for the provincial and federal governments to take immediate action to help solve a national homelessness and mental health crisis.
Executive Director Kate Burns-Gallagher updated Essex County Council on the WOWC’s priorities and initiatives.
County Advocates at AMO Conference
The County of Essex made pitches to the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Health during the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in August. CAO Sandra Zwiers presented Council with a summary of the three delegations the county was granted with the ministries of transportation and health.
The 2024 AMO Conference, held Aug. 18-21 in Ottawa, was attended by more than 3,300 municipal leaders, government officials, public servants, sponsors, exhibitors and media.
New Funding Model for Road Expansion Proposed
Council will be asked to consider a new funding strategy for future road expansion during its 2025 Budget deliberations.
It is projected the County of Essex will need to spend $40 million annually on road expansion projects over the next 20 years. The county levy currently contributes just under $18 million a year, leaving a funding gap that can be strategically bridged through a combination of debt financing and drawing on reserves, says a report to council.
The proposed plan would see the amount from levy funds increased by $1.5 million a year until 2040, when the annual levy contribution to road expansion would reach $40 million. During the interim, the county would take loans and use reserve funds to fill the gap.
The plan includes putting money back in the reserves to build them back up over time, as well as keeping the county’s overall debt level well below its repayment limit. It is designed to be flexible, allowing for adjustments as economic conditions evolve and new funding opportunities arise.
Goods and Services Costlier than Expected, Won’t Affect Budget
Costs for goods and services procured so far in 2024 by the County of Essex that exceeded the amounts budgeted can be covered by savings in other areas, says a report to council. A new Procurement Policy, adopted earlier this year, requires the treasurer to report to council about procurements that were over budget and explain how they are being covered.