Essex County Council Approves 2020 Budget
Essex County, ON – Essex County Council passed a forward-thinking and financially responsible budget Wednesday night that supports the new hospital, promotes continued improvements to roads and an expanding trail network, accommodates an anticipated uptick in growth, increases funding for regional economic development and invests in the engagement and development of staff.
“This budget promotes quality of life issues that matter to residents like roads, active living and a new state-of-the-art hospital,” said Warden Gary McNamara. “It embraces our pay as you go philosophy, supports our reserves and lays the foundation for future growth and development, positioning the County as an enviable place for businesses to invest and for families to live.”
The $50 million construction program for 2020 includes an increase to the $28 million Capacity Expansion program, including $605,000 for video detection and advanced traffic controllers at each of the County’s signalized intersections. An additional $100,000 will be directed to the County Wide Active Transportation System, bringing to $4.84 million the CWATS budget for next year. The 2020 Road Rehabilitation Program includes more than 30 projects totaling nearly $14 million, including several bridge and culvert replacement projects.
The budget includes the addition of a Planner to assist with a growing number of development applications across the County and to help initiate the County Official Plan Review while assisting local municipalities who have embarked on their own Official Plan Reviews. It also includes a new Deputy Clerk position to champion records management and the transparent dissemination of information in a digital environment. As well, the budget continues to support employment engagement initiatives launched in 2019.
“Our employees are our greatest resource and it is important we provide them with the support and tools they need to continue providing excellent services to the residents of the County of Essex,” said CAO Robert Maisonville.
The tax increase of 0.90 per cent is less than the annual rate of inflation and works out to an increase of $8.72 on a home assessed at $200,000. Over the past 18 years, the total tax increase has been about 22 per cent or about 1.23 per cent per year. In contrast, annual inflation has increased by more than 32 per cent over the same period or 1.71 per cent per year. Excluding the 1.5 per cent annual increase associated with infrastructure expansion and the new hospital, the trendline has been basically flat.
The budget increases funding to the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation by $1,163,180, a 19 per cent increase over 2019. The increase is the first since 2013 and a signal the County wants the corporation to continue marketing this region as a place to invest and do business.
The total County levy of $109,720,850 includes about $5.25 million for the proposed new hospital, which represents an increase over the $3.89 directed to the project last year.
“We are committed to quality health care for Essex County residents and investing this money sends a strong signal to the provincial government that we are more than ready for a state-of-the-art regional hospital,” said McNamara. “It’s time to get shovels in the ground.”
Budget Highlights:
Roads: A 1.5 per cent increase or $1.5-million to address necessary capacity expansion. The 2020 Road Rehabilitation Program includes more than 30 projects totaling nearly $14 million.
CWATS: A $100,000 increase in base funding for the County Wide Active Transportation System, bringing the 2020 budget to $4.84 million. Three paved shoulder projects totaling 7.5 km and $2 million are planned for 2020.
Hospital: A $1.25 million boost in mega-hospital funding, bringing the 2020 total to about $5.25 million.
Affordable Housing: An $800,000 contribution as part of a 5-year capital program, launched last year, to repair and maintain aging housing stock.
Essex-Windsor EMS: Replace seven ambulances and technological improvements including smart phones in ambulances to enhance patient care.
Credit Rating: AA+ with a stable outlook.