Essex County Council Approves 1.56% Tax Increase for 2022 Budget

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The Essex County Council approved a 1.56 percent tax increase for the 2022 budget.

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The budget includes $ 45.5 million in road construction and funds to hire an additional 12 paramedics for Essex-Windsor emergency medical services.

Funds have also been earmarked to increase staff hours for security and infection control, and more time to care for Sun Parlor Home residents.

The budget also includes funds to rehabilitate more than 46 kilometers of county highways and expand the active transportation network.

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

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The county is providing $ 48,000 to defray the operating costs of additional housing units in Leamington at The Bridge, which provides housing with support services to youth at risk of homelessness. This is the first installment of a 20-year commitment approved last year.

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

“Essex County’s careful planning and pay-per-use approach ensures that residents get the best service return for their tax dollars,” said Warden Gary McNamara. “This budget includes innovative approaches to address regional issues, such as housing, and continues to invest in essential services, such as our highway system.”

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An additional $ 100,000 is being directed to the Countywide Active Transportation System (CWATS) totaling $ 4.9 million to expand its network of trails, roads, bike lanes and paved shoulders. The network will have an extension of about 800 km and will connect the seven local municipalities.

The 2022 budget includes funds 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.

An increase of 1.56 percent translates to an additional $ 7.61 for a property valued at $ 100,000, bringing the county’s share of municipal taxes to $ 497.04.

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