Essex County Council Approves 2022 Budget

Essex County Council on Wednesday passed a 2022 Budget that supports regional health by boosting staffing levels at Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Sun Parlor Home, as well as enhancing supportive housing and setting aside funds for the new hospital system.

The budget also includes funding for rehabilitating more than 46 kilometres of county roads and expanding the active transportation network.

“This budget addresses the challenges and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic while also supporting the county’s long-term commitment to maintain and improve the services it provides,” said Sandra Zwiers, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer. “It takes into account the additional pressures put on staff as a result of the pandemic and the continued growth of the region.”

This budget supports the hiring of 12 additional paramedics for Essex-Windsor EMS, which has been shouldered with additional responsibilities due to COVID-19. The service was instrumental in the launching of mass vaccination sites in Amherstburg and Leamington in 2021. Paramedics also unfailingly answered the call to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at pop-up clinics across Windsor-Essex. Systemic issues resulting in long waits to unload ambulances at hospitals added to the pressures faced by Essex-Windsor EMS in 2021.

More funding has also been directed to Sun Parlor Home to increase the number of staff hours dedicated to safety and infection control. Staff at the long-term care facility in Leamington have continually adjusted and ramped up safety procedures and protocols during the pandemic to protect residents. The home is further bolstering its staffing complement to meet provincial legislation requiring homes to increase daily direct care hours for residents.

The county is providing $48,000 to support the operational costs of additional housing units in Leamington at The Bridge, which provides Housing with Supports services to youth at risk of experiencing homelessness. This is the first instalment of a 20-year commitment approved last year. The 2022 Budget anticipates a housing support program by another provider that will be focused on providing mental health and addictions care.

The budget also earmarks $2.6 million for future renovations of the deteriorating social housing stock in Windsor and Essex County, and adds another $6.36 million to the county’s reserve for a new state-of-the-art hospital, bringing the total to $31 million.

“Essex County’s careful planning and pay-as-you-go approach is ensuring residents get the best return in services for their tax dollars,” said Warden Gary McNamara. “This budget includes innovative approaches to dealing with regional issues, like housing, and continues to invest in essential services, like our road system.”

The county’s $45.5-million road construction program for 2022 includes $26.8 million for capacity expansion. Another $11.7 million will be spent on rehabilitating 46 km of county roads, including major repairs to two bridges and the replacement of two large culverts.

An additional $100,000 is being directed to the County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) for a total of $4.9 million to expand its network of trails, pathways, bike lanes and paved shoulders. The network will eventually span some 800 km, linking all seven local municipalities.

The county’s 2022 Budget includes funding to hire a climate change coordinator for two years to support the advancement of the corporation’s commitment to climate change initiatives set out in the Essex County Regional Energy Plan.

The 2022 tax rate increase is 1.56 per cent. This translates into an additional $7.61 for a property assessed at $100,000 – bringing the county portion of municipal taxes to $497.04.

“It’s clear from this budget that the County of Essex values its residents and the infrastructure on which they rely, while also understanding the importance of affordability, sound financial stewardship and planning for the future,” said CAO Mike Galloway. “This budget ensures the continued delivery of vital services and programs despite historic inflationary pressures and a global pandemic that continues to impact every facet of our operations.”

Budget Highlights:

Roads: A $45.5-million construction program, including $26.8 million for capacity expansion and $11.7 million to fix existing roads.

Essex-Windsor EMS: Funding to hire an additional 12 paramedics.

Sun Parlor Home: Increased staff hours for safety and infection control, and more time caring for residents.

Social Housing: Setting aside $2.6 million to repair aging social housing in Windsor and Essex County.

General Government: Hiring of a climate change coordinator to advance initiatives in the Essex County Regional Energy Plan.

Hospital: Putting $6.36 million toward the county’s $100-million commitment for funding the construction of a $2-billion new regional hospital.

Credit Rating: AA+ with a stable outlook.