[0:00] >> good morning, everyone.

[1:05] I would like to call the december

[1:10] december third 2025 essex county

[1:11] council

[1:11] council meeting to order.

[1:12] council is gathered this morning

[1:15] to

[1:16] to deliberate the 2026 budget.

[1:16] we will invite everyone to join

[1:23] council

[1:23] council and administration as

[1:24] we take

[1:24] take this time for a moment of

[1:26] reflection

[1:26] reflection.

[1:26] that will lead into the playing

[1:28] of

[1:28] of our national anthem.

[1:29] [o canada playing, instrumental]

[1:56] [o canada playing, instrumental]

[2:43] we acknowledge the land on which

[3:18]

[3:18] the county of essex is located

[3:20]

[3:20] is the traditional territory of

[3:21]

[3:21] the three fires confederacy of

[3:22]

[3:22] first nations, comprised of the

[3:24]

[3:24] ojibway, odawa and potawatomie

[3:25]

[3:25] peoples.

[3:25] we specifically recognize

[3:28] caldwell first nation and other

[3:30]

[3:30] first nations which have

[3:32] provided significant historical

[3:33]

[3:33] and contemporary contributions

[3:35]

[3:35] to this region.

[3:37] we also value the contributions

[3:40]

[3:40] of all original peoples of

[3:45] turtle island

[3:46] who have been living and working

[3:48]

[3:48] on this land from time

[3:49] immemorial.

[3:49] >> is a look around the table,

[3:55] I see

[3:55] see all-county members are around

[3:56] around the table this morning.

[3:57] again, good morning.

[3:58] welcome to what we hope is a --

[4:04] I'm

[4:04] I'm trying to think what p word

[4:06] is

[4:06] is good.

[4:06] >> productive.

[4:10] >> productive, thank you.

[4:11] a productive day this morning.

[4:12]

[4:12] without too much pain, shall we

[4:16] put

[4:16] put it that way.

[4:17] the county's strategic plan calls

[4:20] calls for the county of essex

[4:22] to be

[4:22] be a regional champion delivering

[4:24] delivering services for the success

[4:26] success of our local communities

[4:27] and

[4:27] and residents.

[4:27] that plan also calls for us to

[4:30] be

[4:31] be a powerhouse in public and

[4:32] private

[4:32] private investment attraction

[4:34] I investing

[4:35] investing in quality infrastructure

[4:36] infrastructure and creating conditions

[4:37] conditions conducive to economic

[4:37] growth

[4:38] growth.

[4:38] the county of essex staff built

[4:40] the

[4:40] the proposed 2026 budget in response

[4:43] response to the strategic priorities

[4:44] priorities that we as council

[4:48] set

[4:48] set and they did so in a challenging

[4:50] challenging economic environment

[4:51] while

[4:51] while trying to maintain service

[4:52] levels

[4:52] levels.

[4:52] I thank them for their dedication

[4:55] dedication and hard work.

[4:56] now it's time for us to get to

[4:59] work

[5:00] work.

[5:00] I know we are up for the task.

[5:02]

[5:02] reviewing and setting the budget

[5:04] is

[5:04] is one of the most important jobs

[5:06] jobs that council performs and

[5:07] I am

[5:08] am looking forward to the discussions

[5:11] discussions around this table

[5:13] as we

[5:13] we chart our course for 2026 and

[5:14] beyond

[5:15] beyond.

[5:15] before we get started, just a

[5:19] little

[5:19] little notes.

[5:19] if we have moments in the discussion

[5:24] discussion process where we asked

[5:28] asked the finance department for

[5:30] certain

[5:30] certain numbers or certain adjustments

[5:31] adjustments, instead of us just

[5:32] sitting

[5:33] sitting then, perhaps we will

[5:35] take

[5:35] take a little break at that time

[5:37] time.

[5:37] I think that keeps us moving a

[5:38] little

[5:39] little bit, getting up and down

[5:40] , and

[5:40] and it also, it doesn't put the

[5:42] pressure

[5:42] pressure on our ladies at the

[5:46] finance

[5:46] finance table.

[5:46] if that's okay with you, I think

[5:48] we

[5:49] we will proceed in that manner

[5:50] .

[5:50] thank you.

[5:50] any disclosures of pecuniary interest

[5:55] interest around the table this

[5:56] morning

[5:56] morning?

[5:56] seen none.

[5:57] if at any point during the proceedings

[5:59] proceedings, matter is raised

[6:00] for

[6:00] for which a member has an interest

[6:02] interest which is pecuniary, of

[6:05] decoration

[6:05] decoration can be made.

[6:07] no minutes for council's consideration

[6:08] consideration and no delegations

[6:09] delegations.

[6:09] one piece of correspondence received

[6:12] received in relation to the 2026

[6:15] draft

[6:15] draft budget.

[6:15] does anyone want to discuss that

[6:17] item

[6:17] item further?

[6:17] I am seeing none.

[6:22] the recommendation is that the

[6:23] correspondence

[6:24] correspondence listed on the regular

[6:25] regular agenda for december december third,

[6:25] december third, 2025, we received

[6:28] received.

[6:28] looking for a mover and a second

[6:31] life

[6:31] life.

[6:31] moved by councilor verbeke, seconded

[6:33] seconded by councilor meloche.

[6:34]

[6:34] any discussion?

[6:35] all in favour by show of hands

[6:37] .

[6:37] that is carried.

[6:38] thank you.

[6:39] no resolutions for consideration

[6:41] consideration.

[6:41] under consent, there are two items

[6:43] items listed for december third

[6:44] .

[6:44] anything there that council would

[6:46] would like to discuss further?

[6:47]

[6:47] seeing none.

[6:49] there is a recommendation that

[6:51] the

[6:51] the recommendations included in

[6:52] the

[6:52] the reports listed as items 11.1

[6:55] and

[6:55] and 11.2 on the consent agenda

[6:57] for

[6:57] for december third, 2025 be approved

[6:59] approved.

[6:59] looking for a mover and a second

[7:01] her

[7:01] her.

[7:01] councilor mcnamara any discussion

[7:09] discussion?

[7:09] all in favour that is carried

[7:16] as part

[7:16] part of the deliberations there

[7:18] is

[7:18] is one report for council to consider

[7:21] consider and it is the county

[7:22] of essex

[7:23] essex 2026 advocacy priorities

[7:24] .

[7:24] for that report we turn to our

[7:28] cao

[7:28] cao, sandra zwiers.

[7:29] sandra.

[7:29] >> thank you, gordon.

[7:29] before I get into my report, I

[7:34] do

[7:34] do want to make a few opening

[7:36] remarks

[7:36] remarks about this year's budget

[7:37] budget.

[7:37] first and foremost, I want to

[7:39] thank

[7:39] thank this council.

[7:39] your support and encouragement

[7:42] to

[7:42] to staff over this past year has

[7:44] really

[7:44] really meant a lot to the team

[7:46] .

[7:46] providing public service is not

[7:48] easy

[7:48] easy.

[7:48] but it is made easier when we

[7:50] know

[7:50] know as staff that we have the

[7:52] support

[7:53] support of our council.

[7:54] this year, we really want to extend

[7:56] extend our things as we get into

[7:57] what

[7:57] what is likely going to be a tough

[7:59] tough day today.

[8:00] but we want to certainly start

[8:01] with

[8:02] with thanks to council.

[8:03] I also want to extend sincere

[8:05] thanks

[8:05] thanks to the entire leadership

[8:06] team

[8:06] team here at the county.

[8:07] it does take a village to prepare

[8:09] prepare a budget.

[8:09] this process started many, many

[8:13] months

[8:13] months ago.

[8:14] everyone in this room and many

[8:15] who

[8:16] who are not in this room contributed

[8:17] contributed to the success of

[8:20] the

[8:20] the document you are going to

[8:21] see

[8:21] see today.

[8:22] this was a challenging year, as

[8:26] the

[8:26] the warden noted.

[8:27] with cost pressures affecting

[8:29] every

[8:29] every aspect of our operations

[8:30] .

[8:30] our staff across all departments

[8:31] deserve

[8:34] deserve recognition for crafting

[8:35] a

[8:36] a fiscally responsible budget

[8:37] that

[8:37] that stays through to joe's stays

[8:38] stays true.

[8:38] staff carefully assess whether

[8:40] every

[8:40] every dollar could have the greatest

[8:42] greatest impact and maintaining

[8:43] vital

[8:44] vital services will making significant

[8:45] significant, targeted investments

[8:46] investments in health care, and

[8:47] for

[8:48] for structure, housing supports

[8:48] and

[8:49] and public safety.

[8:49] your admin team has tried to do

[8:52] the

[8:52] the heavy lifting for you today

[8:53] .

[8:53] hopefully you will see that this

[8:55] budget

[8:55] budget has tried to weigh spending

[8:58] spending against the risk of deferral

[8:59] deferral.

[8:59] it presents a budget that is in

[9:03] line

[9:03] line with inflation while maintaining

[9:04] maintaining the levels of service

[9:05] service our county residents demand

[9:06] demand.

[9:06] each year, we do truck try to

[9:10] improve

[9:10] improve upon the process and we

[9:12] tried

[9:13] tried that once again this year

[9:14] .

[9:14] part of the role that I tried

[9:16] to play

[9:16] play in helping the team was meeting

[9:18] meeting with each of county council

[9:19] council throughout the year to

[9:20] have

[9:20] have discussions on what your

[9:22] budget

[9:22] budget priorities were, and suggestions

[9:23] suggestions for improvement on

[9:24] the

[9:24] the process.

[9:25] and so again, I want to thank

[9:27] council

[9:27] council for your engagement in

[9:28] those

[9:28] those meetings and the valuable

[9:30] insights

[9:30] insights and suggestions that

[9:31] you

[9:31] you gave that helped form the

[9:33] experience

[9:33] experience we hope you will enjoy

[9:34] enjoy today.

[9:34] the goal of any budget is to action

[9:38] action our strategic plan, as

[9:39] the

[9:39] the warden said.

[9:39] this budget we feel does support

[9:42] a

[9:43] a number of key strategies in

[9:44] our

[9:44] our plan.

[9:45] that takes me to the report that

[9:46] is

[9:47] is in your agenda package this

[9:48] morning

[9:49] morning.

[9:49] as promised at our last council

[9:50] meeting

[9:51] meeting, we are looking to formalize

[9:53] formalize our advocacy approach

[9:54] in

[9:54] in both a policy as well as formalizing

[9:58] formalizing advocacy priorities

[9:59] for

[10:00] for council as we enter in to

[10:01] 26 26.

[10:01] the report this morning does seek

[10:05] seek council's input and direction

[10:06] direction for a focused of cacique

[10:07] cacique campaign for next year

[10:08] .

[10:08] on the second page of my report

[10:11] , you

[10:11] you will see a number of proposed

[10:13] proposed advocacy priorities for

[10:14] your

[10:14] your consideration today.

[10:14] these priorities speak to specific

[10:18] specific needs within the county

[10:20] but

[10:20] but they are also aligned quite

[10:21] nicely

[10:22] nicely with the advocacy approaches

[10:25] approaches and priorities of agencies

[10:27] agencies above us.

[10:27] so amo, the western ontario warden

[10:30] warden's caucus, and most importantly

[10:32] importantly, the province.

[10:32] it is important that what we do

[10:34] here

[10:34] here mina simply does aligned

[10:35] with

[10:35] with provincial priorities.

[10:36] each of these priorities has been

[10:40] been incorporated to some varying

[10:41] varying degree in the proposed

[10:42] budget

[10:42] budget you are going to get a

[10:44] walk-through

[10:44] walk-through today.

[10:44] very quickly, these are outlined

[10:47] in

[10:47] in the report, improving mobility

[10:51] mobility and roadway capacity.

[10:52]

[10:52] our road network is vital to the

[10:55] linkages

[10:55] linkages and economy in our region

[10:57] region.

[10:57] you will see a focused there.

[10:58] ensuring safe, affordable homes

[11:01] as

[11:01] as a foundation for sustainable

[11:02] community

[11:02] community growth.

[11:02] as you know in 2025, we completed

[11:07] completed our regional affordable

[11:07] affordable housing strategy and

[11:08] we

[11:08] we are looking to advance those

[11:10] conversations

[11:10] conversations with our locals,

[11:11] and

[11:11] and see what we can do is a region

[11:13] region to help move the housing

[11:14] goals

[11:14] goals forward.

[11:14] the third is improving access

[11:18] to health care

[11:19] health care and paramedic service

[11:19] service modernization.

[11:20] we have a number of our ems folks

[11:22] folks in the audience as well

[11:23] today

[11:23] today, and we have a fantastic

[11:27] group

[11:28] group at our long-term care home

[11:29] as

[11:29] as well.

[11:29] we are looking to really focus

[11:31] our

[11:31] our efforts and optimize the scarce

[11:33] scarce resources we have to provide

[11:34] provide those services.

[11:34] the fourth item we are looking

[11:37] to

[11:38] to focus on in 2026 is advancing

[11:40] environmental

[11:41] environmental stewardship.

[11:41] as you know, our geography is

[11:43] unique

[11:43] unique in the province when we

[11:45] are

[11:45] are surrounded by great lakes

[11:46] and

[11:46] and with that joy and environmental

[11:50] environmental luxury does come

[11:52] some

[11:52] some specific challenges for our

[11:53] region

[11:53] region, particularly in the form

[11:54] of

[11:54] of flooding and shoreline erosion

[11:58] erosion, and also wanting to be

[12:00] prepared

[12:01] prepared from an emergency management

[12:02] management perspective.

[12:02] the fifth item we've identified

[12:06] for

[12:07] for council's consideration is

[12:08] economic

[12:08] economic development trade stability

[12:09] stability.

[12:09] it is no surprise and we've said

[12:11] this

[12:11] this many times during 2025, the

[12:12] impacts

[12:13] impacts of tariffs and cross-border

[12:16] cross-border trade tensions impact

[12:17] impact the essex county region

[12:18] more

[12:20] more amplified then I either other

[12:23] other areas of the province.

[12:24] as a county government, we're

[12:26] looking

[12:26] looking to make sure the province

[12:27] province is aware of our issues

[12:28] and

[12:28] and we are representing the needs

[12:30] needs of our business community

[12:31] .

[12:31] in the report, you will see a

[12:34] number

[12:34] number of advocacy opportunities

[12:35] for

[12:35] for next year.

[12:35] we are looking to delegate at

[12:37] various

[12:37] various conferences, at roma and

[12:40] amo

[12:40] amo as usual.

[12:41] also looking to participate in

[12:44] the

[12:44] the western ontario wardens caucus

[12:45] caucus queen's park today, which

[12:46] would

[12:46] would be a new event for us in

[12:48] the

[12:48] the spring.

[12:48] of course ongoing meetings and

[12:51] intentional

[12:51] intentional conversations with

[12:51] our

[12:52] our local mps and mpps.

[12:53] in terms of next steps, council

[12:56] with

[12:56] with your direction today, we

[12:57] would

[12:57] would be action inc. These priorities

[13:00] priorities in terms of print materials

[13:01] materials and information on our

[13:05] public

[13:06] public facing social media and

[13:07] and county

[13:07] and county website.

[13:07] in terms of financial considerations

[13:08] considerations, while there is

[13:11] an

[13:11] an element of cost, we have waived

[13:13] waived these against the proposed

[13:14] proposed budget and we are confident

[13:15] confident the proposed budget

[13:16] includes

[13:16] includes enough funding to action

[13:20] action the strategies we've outlined

[13:21] outlined for council consideration

[13:22] consideration today.

[13:22] the report this morning does give

[13:25] give council a bit of meat on

[13:28] the

[13:28] the bone to chew on but certainly

[13:30] certainly we are looking to council

[13:31] council to get your input and

[13:34] your

[13:34] your official direction on the

[13:35] advocacy

[13:35] advocacy priorities you would

[13:36] like

[13:36] like to see in 2026.

[13:37] with that, I would be happy to

[13:39] answer

[13:39] answer any of your questions.

[13:40] >> thank you.

[13:43] any questions for administration

[13:44] administration?

[13:44] councilor prue.

[13:44] >> thank you, madame borden.

[13:48] I read with some interest the

[13:53] delegation

[13:53] delegation to go to queen's park

[13:54]

[13:54] .

[13:54] it seemed like it wasn't funded

[13:59] by

[13:59] by very much.

[13:59] is that because we are going with

[14:01] with the western ontario wardens

[14:03] so

[14:04] so -- I'm just trying to figure

[14:07] it

[14:07] it out.

[14:07] it's only $4000.

[14:08] >> yes, we considered this activity

[14:15] activity on our own as a county

[14:17] government

[14:17] government.

[14:17] there was considerable cost associated

[14:19] associated with that and never

[14:20] .

[14:20] we did learn late this fall that

[14:23] the

[14:24] the western ontario wardens caucus

[14:26] caucus does an annual queen's

[14:27] park

[14:27] park day, and in 2026, they are

[14:29] inviting

[14:29] inviting all members to display

[14:33] a

[14:33] a table, have a booth, and we

[14:36] can

[14:36] can essentially piggyback on their

[14:37] their efforts to set up an advocacy

[14:41] advocacy day at queen's park.

[14:42] it certainly has reduced the cost

[14:45] cost for the county and we are

[14:47] leveraging

[14:47] leveraging our membership to make

[14:48] make that happen.

[14:49] >> thank you.

[14:51] having attended hundreds of these

[14:53] these things in my years at queen's

[14:55] queen's park, they tend to be

[14:58] rather

[14:58] rather large affairs.

[14:59] the tables showcase products and

[15:06] services

[15:06] services from each of the regions

[15:07] regions.

[15:07] I would imagine we would take

[15:13] down

[15:13] down wine and other things that

[15:15] are

[15:15] are from the region.

[15:16] is that the intent?

[15:19] that we have that kind of stuff

[15:21] to

[15:21] to showcase?

[15:21] to showcase texas county?

[15:25] >> planning is in the early stages

[15:28] stages.

[15:28] we will work quite closely with

[15:31] the

[15:31] the staff to make sure what we

[15:33] are

[15:33] are delivering to represent essex

[15:34] essex county is comparable to

[15:36] what

[15:36] what other members are doing that

[15:40] that conversation will take place

[15:42] place administratively and certainly

[15:43] certainly as appropriate, we can

[15:44] bring

[15:44] bring back a proposal to county

[15:46] council

[15:47] council so county council is aware

[15:48] aware of the level of effort.

[15:49] it certainly is an opportunity

[15:51] that

[15:52] that county is representing seven

[15:54] seven local municipalities and

[15:55] so

[15:55] so while they are looking to showcase

[15:57] showcase the county of essex proper

[15:58] proper, it is a really nice opportunity

[16:00] opportunity to showcase what is

[16:01] happening

[16:01] happening in each of our seven

[16:02] locals

[16:02] locals.

[16:02] we will be in touch with administrative

[16:04] administrative teams as well to

[16:05] see

[16:06] see how we can best leverage this

[16:07] this opportunity.

[16:08] >> are you confident that the

[16:10] amount

[16:10] amount set aside, which I think

[16:11] is

[16:12] is fairly small, a sufficient?

[16:12] >> we are confident.

[16:14] >> thank you.

[16:15] >> anyone else?

[16:17] councilor akpata.

[16:22] >> I appreciate this.

[16:23] I'm wondering if we are looking

[16:25] at

[16:26] at doing outside of the box final

[16:28] final engagements because our

[16:29] minister

[16:29] minister polities have been impacted

[16:30] impacted by international decisions

[16:31] decisions with his -- which is

[16:32] the

[16:32] the exclusive purview of the federal

[16:34] federal government.

[16:34] even in our own facilities, we've

[16:38] we've seen cost rise beyond the

[16:39] scope

[16:39] scope of what the province can

[16:41] do

[16:41] do.

[16:41] I'm wondering through you, madame

[16:43] madame borden, if the ceo has

[16:46] any

[16:46] any ideas that may help all of

[16:47] us

[16:47] us?

[16:47] >> through you, worden, you will

[16:51] notice

[16:51] notice one of the items in the

[16:53] list

[16:54] list is meetings with mps and

[16:56] mpps

[16:56] mpps.

[16:56] mpps is something we have historically

[16:58] historically focused on and councilor

[17:00] councilor akpata, you are correct

[17:02] correct that the federal connection

[17:03] connection probably hasn't been

[17:04] as

[17:05] as strong at the county as we

[17:06] can

[17:06] can make it.

[17:07] the goal in 2026 is to seek out

[17:10] those

[17:10] those opportunities for hopefully

[17:11] hopefully one on one conversations

[17:12] conversations with mps.

[17:12] we have found that the conversations

[17:17] conversations are more candid

[17:18] and

[17:18] and often more productive when

[17:19] you

[17:20] you can meet with members of either

[17:21] either the province of the federal

[17:22] federal government in a smaller

[17:24] setting

[17:24] setting, rather than in a conference

[17:27] conference 15 minute speed dating

[17:29] dating situation.

[17:29] we will be looking administratively

[17:30] administratively to seek out those

[17:32] those opportunities to meet with

[17:33] our

[17:33] our mps.

[17:33] >> a supplemental, if I may.

[17:37] I saw that.

[17:38] I'm looking for -- my friend spoke

[17:41] spoke about queen's park day.

[17:42] I know perhaps down the road,

[17:44] may

[17:44] may be the house might be something

[17:48] something we could engage in various

[17:49] various departments.

[17:49] I look at what's going on, to

[17:53] lay

[17:53] lay with the infrastructure bill

[17:54] that's

[17:55] that's going on that's going to

[17:56] connect

[17:56] connect windsor and detroit.

[17:58] it's affecting this a polities

[17:59] here

[17:59] here.

[17:59] I want to make sure as we go down

[18:01] down this path, we don't eliminate

[18:03] eliminate anything that's going

[18:03] to

[18:04] to affect the dollars that we

[18:05] spend

[18:05] spend.

[18:05] that solemn looking for.

[18:06] >> thank you.

[18:07] anyone else?

[18:07] >> thank you, madame warden.

[18:13] I'm supportive of the five parties

[18:14] parties and read them -- ready

[18:16] to

[18:17] to move them and endorse all five

[18:18] five under the recommendation

[18:20] when

[18:20] when you are.

[18:20] >> if there are no further comments

[18:22] comments, we will come back to

[18:23] you

[18:24] you.

[18:24] I will read the recommendation

[18:25] first.

[18:26] first.

[18:26] that is that essex county council

[18:28] council received report number

[18:29] number 2025

[18:29] number 2025 s1 203ca o-letter,

[18:33] o-letter, county

[18:33] o-letter, county of essex 2026

[18:34] advocacy

[18:35] advocacy priorities as information

[18:37] information and direct administration

[18:38] administration -- into the county

[18:42] county's advocacy strategy and

[18:43] 2026

[18:43] 2026 advocacy calendar.

[18:44] that is moved by councilor rogers

[18:48] rogers.

[18:48] looking for a second or.

[18:49] councilor meloche.

[18:51] any discussion on the motion itself

[18:54] itself?

[18:54] seeing on, I ask you to vote electronically

[18:56] electronically.

[18:56] >> that's carried unanimously.

[19:16]

[19:16] thank you.

[19:16] this is where the rubber hits

[19:21] the

[19:21] the road.

[19:22] 2026 budget overview treasuries

[19:25] report

[19:26] report.

[19:26] for this report, melissa ryan.

[19:29]

[19:29] over to you.

[19:30] >> thank you, wardens.

[19:33] good morning.

[19:33] thank you for joining the county

[19:37] administration

[19:38] administration team today to kick

[19:39] kick off our 2026 county budget

[19:42] deliberations

[19:42] deliberations.

[19:42] this morning, I will provide a

[19:44] high-level

[19:45] high-level overview of the 2026

[19:46] budget

[19:46] budget, our priorities, the pressures

[19:48] pressures we are facing and what

[19:50] this

[19:50] this means for residents today

[19:51] and

[19:51] and for our long-term stability

[19:52] .

[19:52] to start off, I would like to

[19:54] take

[19:54] take a moment to acknowledge all

[19:55] of

[19:55] of the county staff who worked

[19:57] on

[19:57] on preparing this year's budget

[19:58] .

[19:58] sitting beside me is heidi mc mcleod

[20:00] mcleod, our manager of accounting

[20:02] accounting and deputy treasurer

[20:02] , what's

[20:03] what's been key in keeping us

[20:04] organize

[20:04] organize along with her team of

[20:05] financial

[20:06] financial analysts, whose attention

[20:11] attention to detail made this

[20:12] process

[20:12] process run smoothly.

[20:12] I would also like to thank our

[20:14] cao

[20:15] cao and senior leadership team

[20:17] for

[20:17] for their insight and participation

[20:19] participation throughout the process

[20:19] process as well as our communications

[20:21] communications and council services

[20:21] services team for helping make

[20:23] the

[20:24] the budget clear and accessible

[20:25] .

[20:25] I would also like to thank all

[20:27] others

[20:27] others in the county who supported

[20:28] supported this budget process.

[20:29]

[20:29] this really has been a countywide

[20:32] countywide collaborative effort

[20:33] built

[20:33] built on trust, teamwork and commitment.

[20:34] built on trust, teamwork and commitment.

[20:34] our goal, just as has been over

[20:38] the

[20:38] the past four years that this

[20:40] council

[20:40] council has been at the table

[20:42] remain

[20:42] remain simple, maintain stability

[20:43] stability, deliver value and plan

[20:45] plan responsibly for our future

[20:45] .

[20:45] we want to make sure our financial

[20:48] financial decisions continue to

[20:49] align

[20:49] align with council's priorities

[20:50] and

[20:50] and community needs.

[20:50] today's agenda starts with a general

[20:54] general overview followed by departmental

[20:55] departmental presentations.

[20:55] after each one, there will be

[20:58] an opportunity

[20:58] opportunity for questions and

[21:00] discussion

[21:00] discussion.

[21:00] council can decide whether to

[21:01] receive

[21:01] receive the information for further

[21:03] further review later today or

[21:05] to receive

[21:05] receive and approve the department

[21:06] department's 2026 budget if there's

[21:08] there's a consensus to move forward

[21:10] forward.

[21:10] to keep everyone focused and energized

[21:12] energized, we are planning breaks

[21:13] breaks at 10:30, noon and 2:30

[21:15] .

[21:15] it will stay flexible depending

[21:17] how

[21:17] how the discussion close.

[21:18] we will also have a quick break

[21:21] before

[21:21] before finalizing the levy recommendation

[21:22] recommendation to make sure any

[21:23] adjustments

[21:23] adjustments from today's discussions

[21:24] discussions are accurately reflected

[21:24] reflected.

[21:24] the 2026 budget process began

[21:28] in may of

[21:29] may of 2025 with planning sessions

[21:31] sessions and departmental reviews

[21:32] reviews.

[21:32] we aimed to make this project

[21:34] more

[21:34] more strategic, ensuring that

[21:36] every

[21:36] every dollar aligns with council

[21:38] parties

[21:38] parties and community expectations

[21:39] expectations.

[21:39] after laster's budget, we held

[21:40] a debrief

[21:41] debrief to learn what worked well and what we could improve. The feedback shaped the 2026 Process.

[21:47] debrief to learn what worked well and what we could improve. The feedback shaped the 2026 Process.

[21:47] by november, the full 2026 budget

[21:55] budget was finalized and provided

[21:56] provided to council and the public

[21:57] public.

[21:57] throughout, we focused on fundamentals

[22:00] fundamentals.

[22:00] we started with our 2025 base

[22:04] budget

[22:04] budget, factoring in contractual

[22:05] increases

[22:06] increases, reviewing departmental

[22:06] departmental work plans, studying

[22:08] studying assumptions around inflation

[22:10] inflation and row and ensuring

[22:12] every

[22:12] every decision supports long-term

[22:13] long-term sustainability.

[22:13] while the document itself may

[22:15] be 163

[22:16] 163 pages, it's really the result

[22:18] result of months of collaboration

[22:19] collaboration, planning and a

[22:21] lot

[22:21] lot of caffeine, all aimed at

[22:22] delivering

[22:22] delivering a budget that balances

[22:23] balances today's needs with tomorrow's

[22:25] tomorrow's goals.

[22:25] as we look at what is shaping

[22:27] the

[22:27] the 2026 budget, there are a few

[22:29] big

[22:29] big drivers we can't ignore.

[22:30] first is inflation.

[22:31] yes, it is finally starting to

[22:35] stabilize

[22:35] stabilize, which is great news

[22:36] but

[22:36] but we are still feeling its impacts

[22:38] impacts in some key areas, especially

[22:39] especially in certain contracts

[22:41] with

[22:41] with materials, software, vehicles

[22:42] vehicles and wages.

[22:42] next we are managing steady growth

[22:46] growth across the county which

[22:47] adds

[22:48] adds pressure.

[22:48] each new subdivision, road or

[22:50] community

[22:50] community initiative create ripple

[22:52] ripple effects that require planning

[22:53] planning, funding and people to

[22:54] deliver

[22:54] deliver.

[22:54] it's a good problem to have.

[22:56] growth is the sign of a healthy

[22:58] county

[22:58] county but it requires thoughtful

[22:59] thoughtful balancing.

[23:00] speaking of people, let's talk

[23:03] about

[23:03] about human resources.

[23:03] 2026 will be a busy year.

[23:05] a key phase with five collective

[23:09] agreements

[23:09] agreements coming up for negotiation

[23:10] negotiation.

[23:10] at the same time, we focus on

[23:13] retention

[23:13] retention and succession planning

[23:13] planning, making sure we continue

[23:15] continue to attract and keep talented

[23:17] talented, skilled staff because

[23:17] at

[23:18] at the end of the day, our people

[23:19] people are the ones who make the

[23:21] services

[23:21] services happen.

[23:21] at the heart of this budget is

[23:25] fiscal

[23:25] fiscal responsibility.

[23:25] our approach remains consistent

[23:26] hereafter

[23:27] hereafter year.

[23:27] we focus on maintaining service

[23:29] levels

[23:29] levels, honouring commitments

[23:30] to community

[23:31] community and making decisions

[23:32] today

[23:32] today that don't compromise tomorrow's

[23:33] tomorrow's financial stability

[23:33] .

[23:33] I am proud to say that that approach

[23:37] approach continues to serve us

[23:38] well

[23:38] well.

[23:38] the county is recognized for its

[23:40] strong

[23:41] strong fiscal management, a solid

[23:42] solid credit rating and a pay-as-you-go

[23:44] pay-as-you-go philosophy that

[23:45] helps

[23:45] helps us limit that and keep control

[23:46] control of our financial future

[23:48] .

[23:48] of course, that doesn't mean it's

[23:49] it's easy.

[23:50] we are still navigating challenges

[23:51] challenges things like rising

[23:54] operational

[23:54] operational and timber structure

[23:55] cost

[23:55] cost, increasing land prices,

[23:56] limited

[23:56] limited provincial funding and

[23:59] ongoing

[23:59] ongoing deferral of property tax

[24:00] reassessment

[24:00] reassessment.

[24:00] to manage these challenges, we

[24:03] come

[24:04] come back to our guiding budget

[24:05] principles

[24:06] principles which include maintaining

[24:07] maintaining essential service

[24:08] levels

[24:08] levels, honouring our commitments

[24:09] commitments and prioritizing long-term

[24:11] long-term stability.

[24:11] these principles keep us grounded

[24:12] grounded, to help ensure we are

[24:14] not

[24:14] not just reacting to short-term

[24:16] pressures

[24:17] pressures but building a balanced

[24:18] balanced looking budget that reflects

[24:19] reflects both fiscal discipline

[24:20] and

[24:20] and community priorities.

[24:21] this slide gives a high-level

[24:25] look

[24:25] look at the 2026 county budget

[24:26] .

[24:26] the total proposed budget comes

[24:28] in

[24:28] in at 145.7 million, with 96.8 million

[24:33] 96.8 million dedicated to operations

[24:34] operations and 48.9 million for

[24:34] capital

[24:37] capital.

[24:37] the result is a proposed 2.5%

[24:38] -- it

[24:41] it works out to be $51.84 a year

[24:45] for

[24:45] for an average home assessed at

[24:46] 350,000.

[24:46] what I want to emphasize here

[24:49] is that

[24:50] that the budget isn't about across-the-board

[24:52] across-the-board increases, it's

[24:52] about

[24:52] about strategic investments with

[24:53] measurable

[24:53] measurable impact.

[24:54] every dollar has a purpose and

[24:59] to

[24:59] to be our advancing council's

[25:00] priorities

[25:00] priorities in a sustainable way

[25:01] .

[25:01] a quick fun fact that I am typically

[25:05] typically asked by council is

[25:07] that

[25:07] that everyone present changing

[25:07] the

[25:08] the tax rate equals about 1.42 million

[25:10] 1.42 million in levy dollars.

[25:11] I will just add, our team did

[25:15] some

[25:15] some heavy lifting this year.

[25:16] we started with a potential 13.3

[25:18] million-dollar

[25:19] million-dollar levy increase and

[25:19] through

[25:20] through internal reviews and incorporating

[25:21] incorporating growth, we brought

[25:22] that

[25:23] that down to 5.7 million.

[25:25] that is a reduction of seven-point

[25:27] seven-point 6 million before the

[25:27] budget

[25:28] budget even reached council.

[25:28] this slide shows the infamous

[25:33] loony

[25:33] loony graph indicating what portion

[25:34] portion of your tax dollar goes

[25:35] to

[25:36] to each department.

[25:37] the largest year, as you can see

[25:38] see,

[25:38] see, was timber structure and

[25:40] planning

[25:40] planning followed by external

[25:41] commitments

[25:41] commitments which are for things

[25:42] like

[25:43] like public health and social

[25:44] services

[25:44] services and regional initiatives

[25:45] initiatives.

[25:45] this slide gives a snapshot of

[25:48] where

[25:49] where we have been and where we

[25:50] are

[25:50] are heading in terms of tax rate

[25:52] changes

[25:52] changes and inflation from 2021

[25:54] to

[25:54] to 2026.

[25:54] we talk about inflation, is important

[25:58] important to remember we are not

[26:01] just

[26:01] just talking about regular cpi

[26:02] that

[26:02] that affects groceries and clothing

[26:03] clothing.

[26:03] for municipalities, our shopping

[26:06] list

[26:06] list looks a little different.

[26:08]

[26:08] things like asphalt, concrete

[26:10] and

[26:10] and construction materials are

[26:11] all

[26:11] all tied to nonresidential construction

[26:13] construction inflation, which

[26:15] tends

[26:15] tends to rise faster.

[26:16] even if general inflation cools

[26:17] , our

[26:18] our project cost don't always

[26:19] follow

[26:19] follow suit.

[26:19] big picture, our tax rate increases

[26:22] increases have historically stayed

[26:24] stayed at or below inflation which

[26:25] which has helped keep things affordable

[26:27] affordable for residents but it

[26:28] also

[26:28] also means we have years where

[26:29] we

[26:29] we are just catching up after

[26:31] holding

[26:31] holding the line for so long.

[26:32] for 2026, we are still in balance

[26:35] balance mode, managing inflation

[26:37] inflation,

[26:37] inflation, funding big capital

[26:38] priorities

[26:38] priorities like the roadway expansion

[26:39] expansion program, the new windsor-essex

[26:41] windsor-essex hospital, the ms

[26:42] master

[26:42] master plan and social services

[26:43] while

[26:45] while keeping the increase moderate

[26:46] moderate and sustainable.

[26:47] overall, this trend shows what

[26:48] I think

[26:49] think is a responsible story,

[26:51] study

[26:51] study, deliberate adjustment to

[26:53] keep

[26:53] keep up with inflation and growth

[26:54] growth while continuing to invest

[26:55] invest where it matters most.

[26:56] this next line shows how we arrived

[27:00] arrived at our 2026 levy requirement

[27:01] requirement.

[27:01] we started with the 2025 base

[27:05] levy

[27:05] levy and added increases from

[27:07] each

[27:07] each department bringing the total

[27:08] total to approximately 145.7 million.

[27:12] total to approximately 145.7 million.

[27:12] the main departmental increases

[27:13] that

[27:13] that affect the levy include the

[27:15] addition

[27:15] addition of eight paramedic positions

[27:16] positions, one human resources

[27:20] assistant

[27:21] assistant and one human resource

[27:22] generalist

[27:22] generalist.

[27:22] residential and homelessness services

[27:26] services, we have increased per per diem

[27:27] per diem funding for residential

[27:28] services

[27:28] services and we have also expanded

[27:30] expanded the county's overnight

[27:31] homelessness

[27:31] homelessness program.

[27:31] additional levy dollars were included

[27:35] included to close the asset management

[27:39] management planned gap and also

[27:40] levy

[27:40] levy dollars were put into support

[27:42] support the roadway expansion

[27:43] program

[27:43] program.

[27:43] there were some levy dollars for

[27:46] enhanced

[27:46] enhanced recreational programming

[27:47] programming.

[27:47] we did increase our funding for

[27:51] drainage

[27:55] drainage management with council

[27:56] direction

[27:56] direction.

[27:56] for social services and housing

[27:58] , you

[27:59] you will see higher operational

[28:00] cost

[28:00] cost which have been communicated

[28:01] communicated to us by the service

[28:03] service manager at the city of

[28:04] windsor

[28:04] windsor.

[28:04] we also have our hospital reserve

[28:08] reserve.

[28:08] we are continuing with that funding

[28:10] funding model presented to council

[28:12] council.

[28:12] that's funding strategy was already

[28:14] already provided and we do see

[28:15] an

[28:15] an increase in that.

[28:16] other large increases that are

[28:19] reserve

[28:19] reserve funded include facility

[28:19] updates

[28:20] updates such as accessibility

[28:23] improvements

[28:23] improvements to the elevator and

[28:25] basement

[28:25] basement floor and there are going

[28:27] going to be basement floor repairs

[28:29] repairs at the county administration

[28:30] administration building.

[28:30] for ems facilities characters

[28:33] increase

[28:33] increase funding for the ems station

[28:36] station maintenance.

[28:36] there's also a service delivery

[28:38] review

[28:39] review for infrastructure and

[28:41] planning

[28:41] planning services included as

[28:43] well

[28:43] well as investments in workforce

[28:44] planning

[28:44] planning and I.t. Initiatives.

[28:45] I would like to highlight a few

[28:48] key

[28:49] key items that have influenced

[28:50] the

[28:50] the county's overall budget.

[28:51] you will see a common theme throughout

[28:53] throughout all of the various

[28:54] departments

[28:54] departments.

[28:54] first we have about 3 million

[28:58] in contractual

[28:58] contractual salary increases that

[28:59] that council is already approved

[29:00] for

[29:00] for various nonunion and union

[29:02] groups

[29:02] groups as well as anticipated

[29:03] outcomes

[29:03] outcomes of some collective agreements

[29:04] agreements.

[29:04] with those increases, there are

[29:07] increases

[29:07] increases in the benefits cost

[29:08] as

[29:08] as well.

[29:08] next we have some dollars that

[29:11] have

[29:11] have shifted between departments

[29:12] due

[29:13] due to reallocation of internal

[29:14] recoveries

[29:14] recoveries.

[29:14] this helps ensure costs are properly

[29:17] properly assigned to the departments

[29:18] departments that support them

[29:19] and

[29:19] and finally there are a few prebudget

[29:20] prebudget approvals that were

[29:22] already

[29:22] already approved throughout 2025

[29:24]

[29:24] , including ems vehicle procurement

[29:25] procurement and the over structure

[29:29] structure and planning services

[29:30] area

[29:30] area.

[29:30] we have the state of good repair

[29:32] repair,

[29:32] repair, two projects that were

[29:34] approved

[29:34] approved and also the addition

[29:36] of

[29:36] of the legal articling student

[29:37] in

[29:37] in corporate management approved

[29:38] in

[29:38] in 2025 in order to hire in 2026 2026.

[29:41] in 2025 in order to hire in 2026 2026.

[29:41] to reach our 2.65% target, we

[29:47] did

[29:47] did have to defer a few valuable

[29:48] initiatives

[29:48] initiatives.

[29:48] for those interested in appendix

[29:51] 32,

[29:51] 32, treasurers report, there is

[29:53] a

[29:53] a list that has all of those items

[29:55] items.

[29:55] many of them align with our long-term

[29:58] long-term priorities and remain

[29:59] on

[30:00] on the table.

[30:00] council can still choose to include

[30:02] include them in the budget if

[30:03] they

[30:03] they decide they are the priority

[30:04] priority.

[30:04] they will also be discussed at

[30:06] the

[30:07] the department level as well if

[30:09] further

[30:09] further details than what are

[30:10] shown

[30:10] shown in the appendix are sought

[30:12] after

[30:12] after.

[30:12] this chart shows the counties

[30:16] full-time

[30:16] full-time and part-time staffing

[30:17] levels

[30:17] levels.

[30:17] as you can see, the 2026 draft

[30:19] budget

[30:20] budget includes an increase of

[30:21] 11

[30:21] 11 full-time positions, eight

[30:23] of which

[30:23] which are paramedics.

[30:24] in addition, there was a request

[30:25] for

[30:25] for the -- increased part-time

[30:26] hours

[30:27] hours for sun parlor homes staff

[30:29] staff.

[30:29] across all departments, 29 new

[30:33] positions

[30:33] positions were proposed during

[30:34] the

[30:34] the budget process.

[30:35] through the administrative review

[30:38] review process, that this was

[30:40] carefully

[30:40] carefully evaluated based on organizational

[30:42] organizational priorities and

[30:43] fiscal

[30:43] fiscal capacity.

[30:43] in the end, 11 full-time positions

[30:46] positions were prioritized and

[30:47] concluded

[30:47] concluded in the proposed budget

[30:49] budget.

[30:49] these lima the recommendations

[30:49] by

[30:51] by our director of human resources

[30:52] resources at the october 15 council

[30:55] council meeting.

[30:56] looking ahead to 2026, our overall

[30:59] overall reserve position is generally

[31:00] generally on track, which is great

[31:01] great news.

[31:01] though there are still a few areas

[31:03] areas that will need careful attention

[31:05] attention.

[31:05] our capital reserve remains underfunded

[31:07] underfunded, which continues to

[31:08] be

[31:08] be a challenge since we rely on

[31:10] it

[31:10] it for large-scale -- pressures

[31:12] on

[31:13] on the reserve will come from

[31:14] the

[31:14] the ems master plan which includes

[31:16] includes several capital projects

[31:17] projects.

[31:17] to address this, we have built

[31:19] in

[31:19] in a plan to add $1 million to

[31:21] the

[31:21] the levy each year for the next

[31:22] nine

[31:23] nine years, gradually repaying

[31:23] what

[31:24] what we're using now.

[31:24] these reserves will also be important

[31:27] important for the sun parlor homes

[31:29] homes project whether that ends

[31:30] up

[31:30] up being a major redevelopment

[31:31] or

[31:31] or rebuild depending on the results

[31:33] results of the feasibility study

[31:35] study.

[31:35] the rate stabilization reserve

[31:36] is

[31:36] is slightly above target range

[31:37] of

[31:37] of 10% of the levy.

[31:39] we will continue to monitor that

[31:40] throughout

[31:40] throughout the year.

[31:40] reserves are critical because

[31:42] they

[31:42] they help us plan for the long long term

[31:44] long term, to -- keep tax rates

[31:45] stable

[31:45] stable when costs arrive and balance

[31:49] balance affordability between

[31:50] today's

[31:50] today's pacs -- today's taxpayers

[31:51] taxpayers and those in the future

[31:52] future.

[31:52] it can be tempting to use reserve

[31:54] reserve debt hold taxes down,

[31:57] this

[31:57] this isn't a sustainable approach

[31:58] approach.

[31:58] the real focus needs to remain

[32:00] on

[32:00] on aligning service levels with

[32:02] proper

[32:02] proper funding.

[32:02] by the end of 2026, total reserves

[32:05] reserves are projected to decrease

[32:06] decrease by 56 million.

[32:06] that is largely due to the planned

[32:10] planned investments and roadway

[32:11] expansion

[32:11] expansion projects.

[32:11] as noted in the funding model

[32:13] shared

[32:13] shared with councilor this year

[32:14] , debt

[32:16] debt for the roadway expansion

[32:17] program

[32:17] program may be required as early

[32:18] as

[32:18] as 2028.

[32:19] the good news is we have a plan

[32:22] to

[32:22] to gradually replenish the reserve

[32:23] reserve over the 20 year program

[32:24]

[32:24] .

[32:24] using our reserves also affects

[32:28] our

[32:28] our investment income potential

[32:29] .

[32:29] interest income is estimated in

[32:31] the

[32:32] the 2026 budget.

[32:32] we are in a good position on that

[32:35] that front despite reserves reducing

[32:36] reducing by 56 million.

[32:37] the 2026 budget faces several

[32:42] inherent

[32:42] inherent risks, many of which

[32:44] are

[32:44] are outside the control of administration

[32:46] administration and council.

[32:47] key challenges include potential

[32:48] provincial

[32:48] provincial funding reduction,

[32:51] rising

[32:51] rising ems call volumes and off-load

[32:53] off-load delays, escalating cost

[32:54] for

[32:55] for construction and essential

[32:56] supply

[32:56] supply and global inflation pressures

[32:58] pressures.

[32:58] additionally, factors like winter

[33:01] winter maintenance expenses, collective

[33:02] collective bargaining outcomes

[33:03] and

[33:03] and increasing demand for social

[33:05] services

[33:05] services and affordable housing

[33:07] could

[33:07] could significantly impact budget

[33:08] budget outcomes.

[33:08] council will be informed of any

[33:10] unforeseen

[33:10] unforeseen budget pressures throughout

[33:12] throughout the year with strategies

[33:13] strategies developed to address

[33:14] them

[33:14] them as needed.

[33:14] for the average homeowner with

[33:18] a property

[33:18] property assessed at 350,000,

[33:21] county

[33:21] county taxes are projected to

[33:22] increase

[33:22] increase by $51.84 for the year

[33:23] .

[33:23] just a reminder that the assessed

[33:27] assessed values are still being

[33:28] held

[33:29] held at 2016 assessment rates

[33:31] and

[33:31] and there is no indicator of a

[33:32] reassessment

[33:33] reassessment in the near future

[33:34] .

[33:34] it's a modest and manageable increase

[33:37] increase, one that balances rising

[33:39] rising service demand due to growth

[33:40] growth in inflationary cost and

[33:41] the

[33:41] the need to keep long-term finances

[33:42] finances stable.

[33:42] the number could shift slightly

[33:44] based

[33:45] based on final tax policy decisions

[33:47] decisions which will be made in

[33:48]

[33:48] february of 2026 when council

[33:49] confirms

[33:49] confirms rates.

[33:49] at this point, we do not foresee

[33:53] any

[33:53] any provincial changes on the

[33:54] horizon

[33:54] horizon that we believe would

[33:55] significantly

[33:55] significantly affect the county

[33:56] county's

[33:56] county's tax rate but there is

[33:58] a potential

[33:59] potential factor to keep an eye

[34:00] on

[34:00] on which is the affordable renting

[34:04] renting subclass.

[34:05] depending when and how it's implemented

[34:06] implemented, it could have a minor

[34:08] minor impact on the tax rate percentage

[34:10] percentage but likely not a major

[34:11] major one.

[34:11] this depends of council chooses

[34:14] to

[34:14] to apply it and how many properties

[34:16] properties would be eligible.

[34:17] overall, we are in a strong position

[34:19] position with the balance and

[34:21] responsible

[34:21] responsible tax increase.

[34:22] in summary, the 2026 council budget

[34:24] budget is sustainable.

[34:26] it supports residence, protects

[34:28] infrastructure

[34:28] infrastructure and positions the

[34:29] county

[34:30] county to meet needs.

[34:30] we will now move on to the departmental

[34:33] departmental presentation where

[34:34] each

[34:34] each leader will provide details

[34:35] on

[34:35] on their 2026 budget.

[34:36] >> any questions on the overview

[34:42] overview?

[34:42] seeing none.

[34:46] there is a recommendation that

[34:53] county

[34:54] county council received the report

[34:55] report budget overview, treasuries

[34:57] treasuries report as information

[35:00] information,

[35:00] information, and that the 2026

[35:03] budget

[35:03] budget package be received for

[35:05] public

[35:05] public deliberation.

[35:06] looking for a mover and a seconder

[35:08] seconder.

[35:08] deputy warden deck and did by

[35:10] councilor

[35:10] councilor meloche.

[35:12] any discussion?

[35:14] all in favour?

[35:15] I will ask you to vote electronically

[35:17] electronically.

[35:17] is there a question?

[35:28] I'm going back to the same people

[35:32] people every time because no one

[35:33] is

[35:34] is raising their hands.

[35:34] we will see the same names written

[35:36] written on the minutes.

[35:37] thank you for recognizing that

[35:38] .

[35:38] I am asking those that raise their

[35:47] their hands.

[35:47] that is carried.

[36:15] thank you.

[36:15] that's quite the team at the table

[36:20] table now.

[36:20] we will begin with the departmental

[36:25] departmental presentations.

[36:25] first one up is the community

[36:28] services

[36:28] services residential services.

[36:28]

[36:28] we have the director of legislative

[36:32] legislative and legal services

[36:34] .

[36:34] we have the director of health

[36:37] and

[36:37] and community services at sun

[36:39] parlor

[36:39] parlor homes.

[36:39] and our manager of community services

[36:41] services here to present.

[36:42] over to you, team.

[36:42] >> thank you.

[36:45] as council is well aware, the

[36:51] council

[36:51] council's community services division

[36:52] division has been for the past

[36:53] number

[36:53] number of years house within the

[36:55] legislative

[36:55] legislative and legal services

[36:56] department

[36:57] department.

[36:57] however, effective january first

[36:58] january first,

[36:58] january first, 2026, it will transition

[37:00] transition to the county health

[37:02] and

[37:02] and community services department

[37:03] department.

[37:03] this budget presentation as a

[37:07] transition

[37:07] transition time with both myself

[37:08] and

[37:09] and the county director of health

[37:10] health and community services

[37:11] assisting

[37:11] assisting with the presentation

[37:11] of

[37:12] of the community services budget

[37:13] budget.

[37:13] the bulk of today's presentation

[37:15] presentation,

[37:15] presentation, as per usual, will

[37:17] be

[37:17] be handled by the county manager

[37:18] of

[37:18] of committee services.

[37:19] county manager of community services

[37:26] services.

[37:26] >> good morning.

[37:27] first and foremost, I want to

[37:29] thank

[37:29] thank our fantastic finance team

[37:31] for

[37:31] for providing our small but mighty

[37:35] mighty program throughout the

[37:40] year

[37:40] year.

[37:40] so thank you, marcy, heidi and

[37:43] terry

[37:43] terry, who is now on maternity

[37:45] leave

[37:45] leave.

[37:45] the community services division

[37:49] includes

[37:49] includes three main programs.

[37:50] first, the residential services

[37:54] homes

[37:54] homes program provides a financial

[37:55] financial subsidy for vulnerable

[37:58] individuals

[37:59] individuals placed in residential

[38:00] residential care homes, such as

[38:01] retirement

[38:01] retirement homes and lodging homes

[38:02] homes.

[38:02] the county currently has a service

[38:07] service agreement with nine homes

[38:08] homes throughout the county and

[38:09] we

[38:10] we support a total of 226 individuals

[38:11] individuals within the program

[38:12] .

[38:12] secondly, the county has been

[38:19] overseeing

[38:19] overseeing the operation of a

[38:22] service

[38:22] service delivery of various homelessness

[38:23] homelessness programs delivered

[38:24] by

[38:24] by the essex county homelessness

[38:25] hub

[38:25] hub.

[38:25] these programs include a drop

[38:30] in day

[38:31] day program where individuals

[38:32] experiencing

[38:32] experiencing homelessness or at

[38:32] risk

[38:33] risk of losing their housing can

[38:35] access

[38:36] access support and services to

[38:37] either

[38:37] either obtain housing or remain

[38:38] housed

[38:38] housed.

[38:38] in addition, the essex county

[38:43] homelessness

[38:43] homelessness hub also began offering

[38:46] offering an overnight program

[38:47] in july of

[38:47] july of 2025, to respond to an

[38:49] increasing

[38:49] increasing number of individuals

[38:51] experiencing

[38:52] experiencing homelessness.

[38:52] the county outreach services and

[39:00] the

[39:00] the county emergency shelter program

[39:01] program also -- services also

[39:07] provided

[39:07] provided to the essex county homelessness

[39:08] homelessness hub.

[39:09] finally, the community services

[39:11] department

[39:11] department also includes the operational

[39:12] operational funding to support

[39:13] 12

[39:15] 12 affordable housing units for

[39:15] youth

[39:16] youth and other vulnerable populations

[39:17] populations at the bridge in leamington

[39:20] leamington.

[39:20] the residential services homes

[39:28] program

[39:28] program has been experiencing

[39:29] some

[39:29] some challenges in the last several

[39:30] several years.

[39:31] with an increase of people experiencing

[39:34] experiencing homelessness, the

[39:35] program

[39:35] program has seen an evolving client

[39:39] client base with complex needs

[39:40] .

[39:40] we are also seeing an increase

[39:42] in

[39:42] in demand for services which has

[39:44] resulted

[39:45] resulted in our program being

[39:46] at capacity

[39:46] capacity and having a wait-list

[39:47] .

[39:47] in addition, regional transportation

[39:51] transportation continues to be

[39:52] a barrier

[39:52] barrier to ensure that the residents

[39:56] residents have access to health health care

[39:57] health care appointments within

[39:57] the

[39:57] the city and that's remains one

[40:02] of

[40:02] of our largest challenges.

[40:03] further, we are experiencing a

[40:07] lack

[40:07] lack of capacity in our program

[40:09] , which

[40:10] which leaves us with very little

[40:11] room

[40:11] room for contingency planning

[40:14] or few

[40:14] few options when addressing emergency

[40:15] emergency situations in our communities

[40:16] communities.

[40:16] in addition, the residential services

[40:21] services home providers have identified

[40:22] identified significant financial

[40:26] pressures

[40:26] pressures which are a result of

[40:28] an

[40:28] an increase cost of food, utilities

[40:30] utilities, mortgages and staffing

[40:30] staffing.

[40:30] this also presents a recruitment

[40:35] and

[40:35] and retention challenge for the

[40:36] homes

[40:37] homes, as they are not able to

[40:38] compete

[40:38] compete with other health care

[40:41] agencies

[40:41] agencies when hiring staff that

[40:42] are

[40:43] are in high demand professions

[40:44] .

[40:44] there has been a 30% increase

[40:53] in usage

[40:54] usage year-over-year in all homelessness

[40:55] homelessness programs with the

[40:56] exception

[40:57] exception of the emergency shelter

[40:58] shelter program, which has supported

[41:00] supported the same amount of individuals

[41:01] individuals as last year.

[41:02] the essex county homelessness

[41:04] hub

[41:04] hub has averaged 428 visits per

[41:09] month

[41:09] month with a total of just over

[41:13] 4800

[41:14] 4800 visits from january first

[41:15] to

[41:16] to october 31st.

[41:16] I should also note that since

[41:22] the

[41:22] the beginning of the program in

[41:23] september of

[41:24] september of 2022, there has been

[41:26] been a total of just over 13,500

[41:31] visits

[41:31] visits at the essex county homelessness

[41:32] homelessness hub.

[41:32] in addition, the essex county

[41:37] homelessness

[41:37] homelessness hub has supported

[41:39] 45

[41:40] 45 individuals with finding housing

[41:41] housing in the same time frame

[41:42] of

[41:43] of first to october 31st.

[41:43] the warming centre was operational

[41:48] operational last winter from december

[41:49] december ninth to march 31st.

[41:50] they received a total of 935 visits

[41:55] visits in this time frame.

[41:56] on the other hand, the overnight

[42:01] program

[42:01] program, which began its operation

[42:02] operation in july of 2025, received

[42:05] received a total of 1545 visits

[42:09] between

[42:10] between july 21st and october

[42:10] october 31st.

[42:10] therefore, there has been a significant

[42:18] significant increase in the utilization

[42:19] utilization of this program compared

[42:20] compared to last year.

[42:21] the county outreach services program

[42:23] program has supported 102 unique

[42:27] individuals

[42:27] individuals from january first

[42:28] to

[42:28] to october 31st, with a total

[42:31] of

[42:31] of 997 visits.

[42:31] encampment tracking only started

[42:36] on

[42:36] on may first and the team has

[42:38] intervened

[42:38] intervened and supported a total

[42:40] of

[42:41] of 22 individuals in four different

[42:44] different encampments.

[42:44] at the time of gathering the information

[42:49] information for this report, there

[42:51] there were three active encampments

[42:53] encampments in the county.

[42:53] I should also note that encampments

[42:56] encampments are defined as containing

[42:59] containing two or more content

[43:02] or

[43:03] or structures, therefore there

[43:04] are

[43:04] are many more areas where individuals

[43:07] individuals are sleeping outside

[43:08] but

[43:09] but those are not considered official

[43:10] official encampments.

[43:10] the county emergency shelter motel

[43:16] motel program has also been busy

[43:17] this

[43:17] this year.

[43:18] as I indicated before, this was

[43:22] the

[43:23] the program that did not see the

[43:26] same

[43:26] same overall 30% increase as the

[43:28] other

[43:28] other homelessness programs that

[43:28] that

[43:29] that was partially due to the

[43:32] reduction

[43:32] reduction in the bed's that we

[43:34] have

[43:35] have in that program.

[43:36] if you remember, when we had the

[43:37] program

[43:38] program last year and the year

[43:41] before

[43:42] before, we had four emergency

[43:47] shelter

[43:47] shelter beds situated at that

[43:48] home

[43:48] home.

[43:48] since determination of the program

[43:51] program, we no longer have those

[43:52] beds

[43:52] beds.

[43:52] even though the number has remained

[43:55] remained the same, the number

[43:58] of individuals

[43:59] individuals served, the program

[43:59] has

[44:00] has been very busy up to october

[44:06] 20 -- october 31st, the

[44:07] the program provided emergency

[44:09] housing

[44:10] housing to 28 individuals, and

[44:12] successfully

[44:12] successfully found housing for

[44:13] 24

[44:13] 24 of those individuals.

[44:14] the other people either left willingly

[44:19] willingly or were referred to

[44:20] another

[44:20] another shelter that could best

[44:21] meet

[44:21] meet their needs.

[44:22] when needed, we have added an

[44:26] additional

[44:26] additional motel room to accommodate

[44:28] accommodate emergencies.

[44:28] in addition, the average length

[44:30] of

[44:31] of stay for this program was approximately

[44:33] approximately 57 days.

[44:33] and finally, we continually --

[44:37] we

[44:37] we continue to provide meals on meals on wheels

[44:38] meals on wheels and food carts

[44:39] that

[44:39] that we -- to people we support

[44:41] in

[44:41] in this program.

[44:41] >> as council knows, the county

[44:45] continues

[44:46] continues to advocate for increased

[44:47] increased funding from provincial

[44:48] provincial and federal governments

[44:49] governments to address housing

[44:50] and

[44:50] and homelessness needs throughout

[44:52] throughout the county.

[44:52] in the meantime, continue to address

[44:54] address a significant increase

[44:55] in

[44:55] in those sick -- those experiencing

[44:57] experiencing homelessness in the

[44:58] county

[44:58] county.

[44:58] there's been a 30% increase in

[45:00] those

[45:01] those accessing support offered

[45:02] by

[45:03] by the county homelessness hub

[45:03] .

[45:03] aside from increased visits, homelessness

[45:05] homelessness has been more visible

[45:06] visible in the county this year

[45:07] with

[45:08] with the county having to address

[45:09] address and cameron's for the

[45:11] first

[45:11] first time since 2025.

[45:12] council recently approved the

[45:14] regional

[45:14] regional affordable housing strategy

[45:15] strategy which will hopefully

[45:16] assist

[45:16] assist in addressing affordability

[45:17] affordability issues.

[45:17] as that strategy was recently

[45:20] improved

[45:20] improved, there are no cost to

[45:22] the

[45:23] the strategy included in the draft

[45:25] draft budget.

[45:25] the county will use 2026 to consult

[45:27] consult with local myths of polities

[45:28] polities on a strategy and will

[45:30] report

[45:30] report back to council in the

[45:31] months

[45:31] months to come.

[45:32] the overall budget for community

[45:38] services

[45:38] services is 3.7 million.

[45:40] the bulk of the funds require

[45:42] the

[45:42] the county community service budget

[45:43] budget funded from provincial

[45:44] dollars

[45:44] dollars and to a lesser extent

[45:46] federal

[45:47] federal dollars.

[45:47] the county's 2026 budget is seeking

[45:49] seeking an increase of just over

[45:51] 438,000

[45:52] 438,000 to be funded from the

[45:53] county

[45:53] county levy and that amount is

[45:54] comprised

[45:55] comprised of three items.

[45:55] the first is for an operational

[45:58] increase

[45:58] increase.

[45:58] just over 20,000 required for

[46:01] contractual

[46:01] contractual increases in wages

[46:02] and

[46:02] and benefits.

[46:02] the second is to support a per per diem

[46:06] per diem increase to move the

[46:08] per diem

[46:08] per diem from $60 per day to $65

[46:11] per

[46:11] per day in residential services

[46:12] homes

[46:12] homes program.

[46:12] just over 300,000 is required

[46:15] for

[46:15] for that item.

[46:16] that item contingent on the city

[46:19] also

[46:19] also approving the per diem budget

[46:20] budget increase in its budget.

[46:21]

[46:21] finally, the third component of

[46:25] that

[46:25] that amount is being requested

[46:26] in

[46:27] in this budget for an overnight

[46:28] program

[46:28] program increase.

[46:28] just over $110,000 required for

[46:32] that

[46:33] that item.

[46:33] the county is receiving the bulk

[46:35] of

[46:35] of the funds required for the

[46:37] overnight

[46:37] overnight program for provincial

[46:38] and

[46:38] and federal dollars.

[46:38] they will continue funding the

[46:41] overnight

[46:42] overnight program december 31 december 31st

[46:44] december 31st 2026, the county

[46:45] contribution

[46:45] contribution required is $110,000.

[46:46] contribution required is $110,000.

[46:46] again, in 2026, the draft budget

[46:56] before

[46:56] before council seeks to support

[46:58] maintaining

[46:58] maintaining county overnight program

[46:59] program until december 21st 2026.

[47:00] program until december 21st 2026.

[47:00] it seeks to support the county

[47:03] residential

[47:03] residential services providers

[47:05] in

[47:05] in addressing inflationary pressures

[47:06] pressures.

[47:06] service levels can be maintained

[47:08] and

[47:08] and dig deeper into regional affordable

[47:10] affordable housing strategy with

[47:10] counties

[47:11] counties and local minutes of

[47:12] polities

[47:12] polities.

[47:12] they can eventually be made to

[47:14] county

[47:14] county council to advance the

[47:15] strategy

[47:15] strategy.

[47:15] in 2026 the county will continue

[47:20] to

[47:21] to foster collaboration between

[47:22] residential

[47:22] residential service providers,

[47:23] other

[47:23] other service providers and health care

[47:24] health care services for county

[47:26] will

[47:26] will continue to provide homelessness

[47:28] homelessness services to the the county

[47:28] the county homelessness hub, will

[47:30] will continue to advocate levels

[47:31] of

[47:31] of government for additional funding

[47:32] funding to address homelessness

[47:33] and

[47:33] and to increase the number of

[47:36] affordable

[47:36] affordable housing units.

[47:36] with that, we will now conclude

[47:39] the

[47:39] the presentation of the community

[47:40] community services budget with

[47:41] one

[47:41] one of the success stories that

[47:42] have

[47:42] have come from her program.

[47:43] >> thank you.

[47:44] today, I am going to share lucy's

[47:50] lucy's story with all of you.

[47:52] as usual, we afford privacy purposes

[47:54] purposes.

[47:54] lucy is a fabricated name for

[48:00] this

[48:00] this situation.

[48:00] lucy is a senior who was experiencing

[48:05] experiencing homelessness in one

[48:05] of

[48:06] of our smaller county communities

[48:09] communities.

[48:09] a concerned municipal leader contacted

[48:12] contacted our department to seek

[48:13] support

[48:13] support for this person, as business

[48:17] business owners and other concerned

[48:18] concerned citizens were worried

[48:18] about

[48:19] about her.

[48:19] the county outreach worker immediately

[48:23] immediately attended the situation

[48:24] situation and assess the client

[48:26] , who

[48:27] who appeared to be extremely vulnerable

[48:28] vulnerable.

[48:28] the outreach worker then reached

[48:32] out

[48:32] out to the community services

[48:34] team

[48:34] team, and together, they worked

[48:37] with

[48:37] with one of our residential services

[48:38] services home providers, who assessed

[48:41] assessed this vulnerable individual

[48:42] individual the same day and opened

[48:45] opened up an additional bed in

[48:47] his

[48:47] his home for her.

[48:48] it turns out that this person

[48:54] had

[48:54] had not received regular health health care

[48:56] health care in years, and her

[48:57] health

[48:57] health card was 20 years expired

[48:59] expired.

[48:59] to complicate things, she was

[49:01] being

[49:01] being financially taken advantage

[49:05] advantage of, and although she

[49:06] received

[49:06] received a decent income, she

[49:08] didn't

[49:08] didn't have access to it.

[49:09] fast forward three months, lucy

[49:12] is

[49:12] is thriving in a retirement home

[49:16] home.

[49:16] she is receiving regular health health care

[49:18] health care, and she has been

[49:20] assigned

[49:20] assigned a public guardian to

[49:22] manage

[49:22] manage her finances, to avoid

[49:23] any

[49:23] any further financial abuse.

[49:24] she claims that she has never

[49:27] been

[49:27] been happier and she is living

[49:29] her

[49:29] her best life.

[49:29] thank you.

[49:30] >> thank you.

[49:34] >> with that, we are happy to

[49:39] answer

[49:39] answer any questions.

[49:40] >> are there any questions regarding

[49:45] regarding community services residential

[49:46] residential homes services homes

[49:47] 2026

[49:47] 2026 widget estimates?

[49:47] start with councilor deyong.

[49:49] >> I think you mentioned something

[49:55] something, and I'm hoping you

[49:57] can

[49:57] can give more details, our homelessness

[50:01] homelessness funding program has

[50:02] doubled

[50:02] doubled since 2024.

[50:03] most of that is this year.

[50:05] I think is 300,000 increase, the

[50:06] homelessness

[50:06] homelessness program line.

[50:08] do you want the line number?

[50:09] 5112.

[50:09] I think you said something in

[50:16] your

[50:16] your comments about the $300,000 $300,000.

[50:19] your comments about the $300,000 $300,000.

[50:19] I'm wondering if you can let us

[50:20] --

[50:23] -- what the increases.

[50:24] in 2024, it was 429.

[50:26] it went up to six.

[50:28] this year it is almost nine.

[50:29] >> with the provincial dollars

[50:36] that

[50:36] that we received from the city

[50:38] , they

[50:39] they give us a pot of money and

[50:40] it

[50:41] it goes in between, in and out

[50:43] of

[50:43] of line.

[50:43] I believe, and I didn't look as

[50:45] you

[50:45] you were speaking, but if you

[50:47] notice

[50:47] notice, you will notice an offset

[50:49] offset at another line.

[50:50] there is a residential services

[50:51] home

[50:51] home.

[50:51] how they calculate that has changed

[50:52] changed.

[50:52] but they shifted dollars elsewhere

[50:56] elsewhere.

[50:56] for this year, for example, we

[50:57] have

[50:58] have to regroup and thought an

[51:01] outreach

[51:02] outreach worker would be better

[51:03] .

[51:03] so it just goes to another line

[51:04] .

[51:04] but we have had the same pot of

[51:06] money

[51:06] money from 2024 and 2025.

[51:08] they are saying it will be the

[51:10] same

[51:11] same for 2026.

[51:11] >> I think you are talking about

[51:16] the

[51:16] the transitional relocation costs

[51:17] costs, which is the line above

[51:18] .

[51:18] so we are still talking $100,000

[51:20] difference

[51:20] difference.

[51:20] >> no, it is the residential services

[51:28] services homes per diem and the

[51:29] homelessness

[51:29] homelessness program.

[51:29] the transitional relocation costs

[51:31] costs are funded dollars for the

[51:35] transition

[51:35] transition.

[51:35] it is still $100,000 difference

[51:39] .

[51:39] down 200,000 on five 1:30.

[51:56] but up 300,000 on five '01 two.

[51:58] 50 1:30 5102.

[52:05] >> as we do the math I can confirm

[52:08] confirm the provincial dollars

[52:09] receive

[52:09] receive has not changed.

[52:10] we will work on the mass of that

[52:14] but

[52:14] but I can confirm that the city

[52:15] has

[52:16] has not given us any additional

[52:18] provincial

[52:18] provincial dollars.

[52:18] >> further?

[52:23] >> I guess I music my old budget

[52:27] to

[52:28] to look at what was levy versus

[52:30] reserve

[52:30] reserve funding, which I wish

[52:32] was

[52:32] was on this year's budget because

[52:34] because I think it's really helpful

[52:36] helpful to know what's impacting

[52:37] the

[52:37] the tax rate at the end of the

[52:39] day

[52:39] day.

[52:39] that's what we are here for, and

[52:41] it's

[52:41] it's not on this budget.

[52:42] I brought my old one to help with

[52:44] with that.

[52:44] in terms of the number I am asking

[52:46] asking for, and I do understand

[52:49] you

[52:49] you are putting the provincial

[52:50] dollars

[52:51] dollars in certain categories,

[52:51] is

[52:54] is it my understanding that this

[52:56] has

[52:56] has no impact on the tax rate

[52:58] at all

[52:58] all?

[52:58] these dollars specifically that

[52:59] I

[52:59] I am talking about.

[53:00] >> I can help.

[53:03] in my presentation, I talked about

[53:07] about -- let me find the notes

[53:10] here

[53:10] here.

[53:10] the amount that would effect the

[53:14] county

[53:15] county levy for this year is just

[53:16] just over $438,000.

[53:18] that was broken down in those

[53:21] three

[53:21] three items.

[53:21] one is 20,000 for contractual

[53:25] increases

[53:25] increases wage and benefits, the

[53:26] second

[53:27] second is the per diem increase

[53:28] that

[53:30] that the city is bringing in their

[53:32] their budget, they've asked to

[53:33] bring

[53:33] bring in ours.

[53:33] that's just over $300,000.

[53:36] and the overnight program, if

[53:37] it goes

[53:38] goes to december 31st, in addition

[53:39] addition to provincial and federal

[53:40] federal funding, we would need

[53:42] just

[53:42] just over $110,000 in county funding

[53:44] funding.

[53:44] that's a total of 438,000.

[53:46] that is more than what was asked

[53:48] for

[53:48] for last year.

[53:49] if that helps.

[53:49] >> the 300 I heard was for the

[53:56] per diem

[53:56] per diem, which I'm glad to see

[53:57] .

[53:57] I think that is really necessary

[53:59] necessary.

[53:59] to go back to the lines I am talking

[54:02] talking about, specifically the

[54:03] homelessness

[54:03] homelessness programs and the

[54:06] residential

[54:06] residential service -- now you

[54:10] said

[54:10] said service home for pdm is a

[54:12] tax

[54:12] tax increase.

[54:12] I am confused.

[54:13] you said it's provincial dollars

[54:14] dollars.

[54:14] >> the first $60 would be provincial

[54:20] provincial dollars.

[54:20] we are trying to top that up with

[54:22] with the additional five dollars

[54:24] to

[54:24] to make it sustainable.

[54:25] the five-dollar increase is where

[54:26] where you see the levy contribution

[54:28] contribution.

[54:28] it is our county dollars.

[54:30] $309,000 for the residential home

[54:34] home increase is a levy and it

[54:36] does

[54:36] does affect the tax rate.

[54:37] as well as the overnight program

[54:39] program.

[54:39] we are doing what we can with

[54:42] the

[54:42] the provincial dollars to open

[54:44] it

[54:45] it as many days as we possibly

[54:46] can

[54:47] can.

[54:47] however, there is a shortfall

[54:48] of we

[54:48] we want to run a 306 to five days

[54:50] days a year.

[54:51] that will be -- that will affect

[54:52] the

[54:53] the levy and that is just over

[54:54] $110,000

[54:56] $110,000, that increase there.

[54:57]

[54:57] >> I am finding this quite confusing

[55:06] confusing.

[55:06] the homelessness program is increased

[55:07] increased by 300,000 but our per per diem

[55:09] per diem, which we know is impacting

[55:11] impacting the levy, shows in production

[55:12] production.

[55:12] so this is very confusing to me

[55:14] .

[55:14] I will just trust that what you

[55:17] are

[55:17] are saying makes sense because

[55:18] it

[55:18] it doesn't make sense on my piece

[55:20] piece of paper that shows the

[55:21] per diem

[55:21] per diem cost from 2025 going

[55:23] down

[55:23] down, even though we are increasing

[55:24] increasing it.

[55:25] but the homelessness program which

[55:27] which is provincially funded is

[55:29] going

[55:29] going up at the funding dollars

[55:30] haven't

[55:31] haven't changed.

[55:31] so I'm a little confused.

[55:32] but I will move on.

[55:33] >> anyone else?

[55:38] councilor bailey.

[55:47] >> this is tough work not only

[55:49] putting

[55:49] putting the budget together but

[55:50] the

[55:51] the work that you do.

[55:52] I want to thank you for sharing

[55:54] the

[55:54] the story about lucy and all of

[55:56] the

[55:56] the work that gets done with our

[55:57] vulnerable

[55:58] vulnerable populations.

[55:58] I also want to thank you for what

[56:01] what appears to be a conservative

[56:02] conservative lens on a very difficult

[56:04] difficult subject, recognizing

[56:04] that

[56:05] that really this is a maintenance

[56:07] maintenance of level of service

[56:08] and

[56:09] and some continuation around --

[56:09] the

[56:11] the five-dollar per diem increase

[56:13] increase, I am very pleased to

[56:16] see

[56:16] see.

[56:16] I assume the city will also be

[56:21] tabling

[56:21] tabling that within their budget

[56:23] for

[56:23] for their discussions.

[56:24] I am wondering whether or not

[56:26] the

[56:26] the five dollars that we will

[56:31] love

[56:31] love the as a result will be transferred

[56:33] transferred to the service manager

[56:34] manager from the county to the

[56:36] city

[56:36] city, the additional five dollars.

[56:37] city, the additional five dollars.

[56:37] I'm also wondering whether or

[56:42] not

[56:42] not this could be brought back

[56:43] if

[56:43] if the city fails to match my

[56:45] -- my

[56:45] my anticipation and hope is that

[56:46] they

[56:47] they will.

[56:47] I'm sure they will.

[56:49] but whether or not this could

[56:50] be brought

[56:50] brought back for consideration

[56:51] should

[56:52] should the city not choose to

[56:53] match

[56:53] match.

[56:53] also, I'm happy to table the motion

[56:56] motion contained here when you

[56:57] are

[56:57] are ready.

[56:58] >> through wharton, thank you

[57:07] for

[57:07] for your question and thank you

[57:08] for

[57:08] for your positive feedback.

[57:09] we certainly appreciated.

[57:10] as for the potential per diem

[57:14] increase

[57:14] increase, how the funding works

[57:18] , the

[57:18] the city gives the county the

[57:20] money

[57:20] money to cover the entire per per diem

[57:21] per diem.

[57:21] we would just be complementing

[57:24] what

[57:24] what they are already giving us

[57:25] , and

[57:27] and then they would be pulling

[57:29] , hopefully

[57:29] hopefully, from there municipal

[57:32] dollars

[57:33] dollars to complement the total

[57:34] amount

[57:34] amount for the city homes.

[57:36] I hope that answers your question

[57:37] question.

[57:37] >> I should also add, the 65-dollar

[57:43] 65-dollar per diem is not solely

[57:44] funded

[57:44] funded by provincial dollars and

[57:47] county

[57:48] county dollars.

[57:48] it is also income that the residents

[57:50] residents themselves may earn,

[57:51] whether

[57:52] whether it's pension income or

[57:53] disability

[57:53] disability income.

[57:53] >> thank you.

[57:56] councilor bondy.

[57:56] >> thank you, warden.

[58:01] I want to thank you for everything

[58:02] everything you do.

[58:03] this is a question that I have

[58:04] today

[58:05] today.

[58:05] you may not have the answer today

[58:07] today.

[58:07] if you have to follow up by email

[58:08] email, I understand.

[58:09] the 226 beds, how long have we

[58:12] had

[58:12] had 226 bed?

[58:13] does that grow at all with the

[58:16] needs

[58:16] needs, the demand for need?

[58:17] and then I have a couple of other

[58:21] other questions.

[58:21] but I'm looking to see, do we

[58:23] have

[58:23] have did we have 226 beds 10 years

[58:25] years ago?

[58:26] are we looking to grow more beds

[58:27] beds?

[58:27] the housing issues aren't going

[58:29] to

[58:30] to go away.

[58:30] maybe we need to have a discussion

[58:34] discussion going to 240 beds in

[58:36] the

[58:36] the future, 250 beds.

[58:37] I don't know if you can answer

[58:39] that

[58:39] that.

[58:39] and then I have a couple of other

[58:41] other statements.

[58:41] >> thank you for the question.

[58:44] for at least 10 years, we have

[58:49] had

[58:50] had 226 beds.

[58:50] that number is determined by the

[58:57] service

[58:58] service manager.

[58:58] so they allocate funding to a

[59:00] total

[59:00] total number of beds for the region

[59:02] region.

[59:02] the county portion of those beds

[59:04] are

[59:04] are 226.

[59:04] >> thank you.

[59:08] 226 beds for 10 years.

[59:11] that is not keeping up with inflation

[59:16] inflation of the need in the the county

[59:17] the county of essex.

[59:18] my next question is, I believe

[59:20] a couple

[59:21] couple of council meetings ago

[59:22] , maybe

[59:22] maybe three innings ago, we sent

[59:24] a

[59:24] a letter to the city of windsor

[59:26] asking

[59:26] asking them to meet on this.

[59:27] unfortunately, we didn't get to

[59:29] meet

[59:29] meet on anything.

[59:30] unity service, social service,

[59:31] before

[59:32] before this budget.

[59:33] do you know if that letter has

[59:34] been

[59:35] been received by the city, and

[59:36] if

[59:37] if the city is going to

[59:38] if the city is going to

[59:38] come to the

[59:39] the table and talk about our fair

[59:40] fair share of services?

[59:41]

[59:41] >> we've got an email acknowledging

[59:45] acknowledging they have received

[59:46] the

[59:46] the letter but there has been

[59:47] no formal

[59:48] formal response to date.

[59:48] >> thank you.

[59:49] I will just go on public record

[59:55] again

[59:55] again saying that the city really

[59:56] really needs to start having a

[59:57] conversation

[59:58] conversation with the county.

[59:58] if it's not county council, it

[1:00:01] needs

[1:00:02] needs to be county administration

[1:00:04] administration.

[1:00:04] part of our strategic goal is

[1:00:06] looking

[1:00:06] looking at how we can get our

[1:00:08] fair

[1:00:08] fair share.

[1:00:08] we are not getting our fair share

[1:00:10] share.

[1:00:10] 226 beds for 10 years, having

[1:00:13] no growth

[1:00:13] growth in those beds in the county

[1:00:14] county when we have needs.

[1:00:15] we have encampments as well.

[1:00:18] my last comment is I don't --

[1:00:20] this

[1:00:20] this is really good information

[1:00:21] .

[1:00:21] I got a little bit emotional but

[1:00:23] I

[1:00:23] I don't want to wait until 2027

[1:00:25] to

[1:00:26] to get more data on this particular

[1:00:27] particular topic.

[1:00:27] I actually think, we were just

[1:00:31] at

[1:00:31] at our police service board, we

[1:00:32] added

[1:00:32] added at our police service board

[1:00:34] board homeless and can't mince

[1:00:36] into

[1:00:36] into the strategic plan.

[1:00:37] homeless issues into the strategic

[1:00:39] strategic plan at the opp board

[1:00:40] north

[1:00:40] north.

[1:00:40] we need to be on this issue.

[1:00:43] as elected officials, I would

[1:00:45] like

[1:00:45] like to be informed on this issue

[1:00:47] issue, either quarterly or every

[1:00:48] three

[1:00:48] three months.

[1:00:48] we need to not let this get worse

[1:00:52] worse and worse and worse.

[1:00:53] we need to be very vocalwe need to be very vocal to the

[1:00:57] upper levels of government

[1:00:57] upper levels of government and

[1:00:58] the

[1:00:58] the city of windsor that the status quo

[1:01:01] status quo is not acceptable and we're

[1:01:02] we're only as good as our most vulnerable people.

[1:01:04] vulnerable people.

[1:01:04] we have many loose in our community

[1:01:07] community and if they are doing poorly

[1:01:09] poorly, we are failing. I

[1:01:10] I want to thank you for all your work

[1:01:12] work you are doing.

[1:01:12] thank you.

[1:01:14] >> councillor rogers. >> thank

[1:01:19] >> thank you and through you, great work

[1:01:20] great work that everybody is doing

[1:01:20] doing.

[1:01:20] I'm -- it makes a big ball you're moving

[1:01:30] you're moving worth it.

[1:01:30] there's federal funding

[1:01:31] there's federal funding

[1:01:31] there.

[1:01:32] about 100,000 or so up there.

[1:01:33] is this guaranteed funding moving

[1:01:36] moving into the future the first foresee

[1:01:39] foresee a top up that's continually

[1:01:40] continually happening or is this top

[1:01:43] top up now what's guaranteeing

[1:01:44] the current

[1:01:44] the current service we have through the next

[1:01:45] through the next year when we

[1:01:47] see future budgets

[1:01:47] see future budgets.

[1:01:47] >> it doesn't directly align with

[1:01:58] with the county budget process

[1:02:00] .

[1:02:00] it's through year end.

[1:02:01] the dollars we are seeking through december 31st,

[1:02:03] through december 31st, 2026.

[1:02:05] I believe that's correct.

[1:02:06] each year the city tells us what her allocation from

[1:02:10] her allocation from the provincial

[1:02:13] provincial and federal dollars on behalf

[1:02:14] on behalf of the region is and

[1:02:15] that

[1:02:16] that dollar figure was the same last

[1:02:17] last years it is this year.

[1:02:18] there's no indication of any increase

[1:02:19] increase or decrease -- I can't really tell

[1:02:25] really tell you about that.

[1:02:25] >> think you further. If

[1:02:29] if I could just expand on that hypothetically

[1:02:30] hypothetically if the funding is

[1:02:34] the

[1:02:34] the same for next year, next budget

[1:02:37] budget we've already banked in

[1:02:38] that increase

[1:02:39] that increase so theoretically

[1:02:39] there

[1:02:39] there should be no increase in less

[1:02:41] less funds or cut. Is that how

[1:02:42] is that how I understand it?

[1:02:42] >> through you I just want to

[1:02:51] comment

[1:02:51] comment on the cost of doing the

[1:02:54] service

[1:02:54] service.

[1:02:54] this is the cost of $2026 so that's

[1:03:00] that's just one comment the expenses of doing

[1:03:02] expenses of doing the program might continue

[1:03:05] might continue to increase which we

[1:03:06] we might have to cover unless the provincial funding

[1:03:07] the provincial funding also increases

[1:03:07] increases.

[1:03:07] there's also 70,000 home funding

[1:03:13] which is a federal funding that

[1:03:14] which is a federal funding that

[1:03:14] covers this

[1:03:14] covers this.

[1:03:14] that's only confirmed until 2028 2028.

[1:03:21] 2028.

[1:03:21] so that's also a potential where there's

[1:03:22] there's 70,000 right now helping us

[1:03:26] us find that program, that potentially might not be

[1:03:27] potentially might not be there in the future

[1:03:27] in the future.

[1:03:27] >> thank you very much, I appreciated.

[1:03:36] appreciated.

[1:03:36] in terms of the 2026 beds -- 226 beds we've had

[1:03:41] beds we've had that number the

[1:03:41] last

[1:03:43] last ten years and there is need growing

[1:03:45] growing out in the community.

[1:03:46] I'm happy to see the 5-dollar increase for

[1:03:50] increase for the per diem and those

[1:03:55] those different service levels

[1:03:56] but I want to

[1:03:56] but I want to drill home the point before we

[1:03:58] point before we expand beds to ensure we

[1:04:03] ensure we are taking care of those

[1:04:05] those 226 to ensure the service

[1:04:06] providers

[1:04:08] providers -- have the funding

[1:04:15] and resources

[1:04:15] and resources they need to ensure were

[1:04:16] ensure were taking care of our most vulnerable

[1:04:17] most vulnerable before you look

[1:04:18] at bringing

[1:04:19] at bringing that number up at

[1:04:21] all.

[1:04:21] I'm a firm believer we have to

[1:04:22] take

[1:04:22] take care of our own house before

[1:04:24] before we look outside and I think in terms of

[1:04:27] think in terms of expanding that that,

[1:04:27] that, I don't think a conversation

[1:04:30] conversation with the city -- I think that's our conversation

[1:04:31] think that's our conversation

[1:04:31] with the

[1:04:32] with the province so to me that's the bigger conversation

[1:04:36] that's the bigger conversation

[1:04:36] . Supportive

[1:04:36] supportive of this and I will be

[1:04:40] your

[1:04:40] your second or whenever you are ready.

[1:04:40] ready.

[1:04:40] thank you.

[1:04:42] >> thank you.

[1:04:43] councillor. >> through you just a quick

[1:04:47] >> through you just a quick question on encampments

[1:04:47] question on encampments and the cost.

[1:04:52] cost.

[1:04:52] I understand encampments and there

[1:04:54] there must be a number of different

[1:04:55] different budget lines attached

[1:04:56] you break them

[1:05:00] you break them up -- that's all I need to

[1:05:02] I need to know.

[1:05:02] >> through you the county directly dealt

[1:05:09] directly dealt with one this year

[1:05:12] year. I

[1:05:12] I believe it was broken up in

[1:05:15] a variety

[1:05:15] variety of different budget lines

[1:05:16] lines as we have different departments dealing with

[1:05:17] departments dealing with it.

[1:05:17] a legal services on-site and for

[1:05:25] cleanup cost afterwards and

[1:05:25] cleanup cost afterwards and assisted the

[1:05:25] assisted the locals as well

[1:05:27] assisted the locals as well

[1:05:27] an encampment in the county of

[1:05:51] essex

[1:05:52] essex true cost is to taxpayers

[1:05:53] .

[1:05:53] thank you.

[1:05:55] >> thank you. Councillor

[1:05:58] councillor. >> thank

[1:05:59] >> thank you through you I only have

[1:06:01] have one question -- were seeing

[1:06:03] 226 in

[1:06:04] 226 in the county and it's been like

[1:06:06] like that for ten years.

[1:06:07] it's determined by the service manager which is the

[1:06:09] manager which is the city.

[1:06:09] do we ever review that?

[1:06:13] obviously in the past ten years

[1:06:13] the county

[1:06:13] the county has grown quite a bit

[1:06:16] and

[1:06:17] and we have the same issues now the

[1:06:17] the county and in the city centre

[1:06:21] centre.

[1:06:21] at what point do we review the allocations

[1:06:24] allocations between the city and county

[1:06:26] county or are we part of that discussion

[1:06:26] discussion?

[1:06:26] >> my understanding is when the program was

[1:06:37] program was instituted the city

[1:06:40] itself

[1:06:41] itself and the 226 beds in the county and that number

[1:06:44] county and that number remains

[1:06:44] --

[1:06:45] -- it just remain static.

[1:06:51] it certainly conversation we could have with

[1:06:51] could have with administration

[1:06:52] if council wants us

[1:06:56] if council wants us to.

[1:06:56] >> anyone else? I'm going to

[1:07:02] I'm going to read the recommendations

[1:07:02] recommendations.

[1:07:02] -- I'm giving everybody two looks around

[1:07:09] looks around because get your hands

[1:07:12] hands up early or you're going

[1:07:13] to get

[1:07:13] to get missed.

[1:07:14] >> just for some clarification

[1:07:17] as well when we

[1:07:17] as well when we make references

[1:07:17] the overall proposed for the

[1:07:22] the overall proposed for the 26 budget

[1:07:24] budget and we look at net of recoveries

[1:07:25] recoveries.

[1:07:25] the total of 1.2 million is an increased

[1:07:31] increased -- they make reference

[1:07:32] stated

[1:07:34] stated from 2025 budget 760 --

[1:07:38] ...

[1:07:38] so I can understand is these numbers

[1:07:49] numbers are needed are we referring

[1:08:02] referring to the city there's an

[1:08:03] increase

[1:08:03] increase here we're looking more

[1:08:04] money for them? To

[1:08:04] to help. >> through you

[1:08:10] >> through you ward and we definitely communicated

[1:08:10] definitely communicated team have communicated that on Several

[1:08:15] definitely communicated team have communicated that on Several

[1:08:15] several occasions that we obviously

[1:08:19] obviously need this service on

[1:08:20] where always looking for Additional provincial

[1:08:22] where always looking for Additional provincial

[1:08:22] additional provincial dollars.

[1:08:22]

[1:08:22] we've fought in other years and

[1:08:26] if

[1:08:27] if there's ever any surpluses, they've been

[1:08:28] they've been good at allowing

[1:08:30] us to shift

[1:08:31] to shift the surplus dollars somewhere

[1:08:33] somewhere else.

[1:08:33] however they typically don't know

[1:08:34] know if there's any service dollars

[1:08:35] dollars until closer to the end of march

[1:08:35] of march.

[1:08:35] but they do know we have a need and

[1:08:42] and are using additional municipal dollars to continue With

[1:08:44] and are using additional municipal dollars to continue With

[1:08:44] with these programs.

[1:08:44] if there's any additional or federal dollars...

[1:08:51] federal dollars... >>

[1:08:51] >> so through you those dollars are actually

[1:08:55] are actually at risk.

[1:08:56] >> three u. I believe I highlighted that

[1:09:03] highlighted that as a risk so the

[1:09:04] the budget will not be approved until

[1:09:05] until the end of january so there's a

[1:09:06] there's a risk with that.

[1:09:08] they've confirmed it's a best

[1:09:12] estimate

[1:09:12] estimate at this time and that's

[1:09:13] what we gave in

[1:09:13] what we gave in our budget.

[1:09:13] >> okay and any reference to the

[1:09:19] mention of federal dollars

[1:09:20] mention of federal dollars I think was

[1:09:22] think was -- those again our dollars

[1:09:27] dollars that had the flow-through

[1:09:27] flow-through the service manage --

[1:09:33] -- manager of the city?

[1:09:35] >> that's correct. Further reaching

[1:09:37] further reaching home and it can

[1:09:38] be

[1:09:38] be added if she would like.

[1:09:39] there's a committee that decides

[1:09:40] what to

[1:09:41] what to do with those dollars

[1:09:42] so it's

[1:09:43] it's a bit different than the other

[1:09:44] other provincial dollars but they've allocated

[1:09:47] they've allocated 70,000. >> I

[1:09:53] >> I guess my question would be

[1:09:55] to administration

[1:09:55] to administration then if those dollars

[1:09:56] dollars that are at risk and obviously

[1:09:59] obviously you've heard around

[1:10:02] the

[1:10:02] the table in terms of the requirements we

[1:10:03] requirements we are seeing obviously homelessness

[1:10:03] obviously homelessness is becoming a critical

[1:10:06] becoming a critical issue for

[1:10:09] u us.

[1:10:09] us.

[1:10:09] we've seen the encampments.

[1:10:11] now even our own municipality

[1:10:13] we are faced with

[1:10:15] are faced with an encampment rate

[1:10:15] rate as we speak.

[1:10:15] so I'm glad to see administration will continue to

[1:10:24] administration will continue to

[1:10:24] dedicate

[1:10:24] dedicate funding who us.

[1:10:28] obviously I don't know if it will be contravening the

[1:10:33] obviously I don't know if it will be contravening the

[1:10:33] arrangement, the signed agreement

[1:10:36] agreement that we have that the

[1:10:38] city as

[1:10:38] city as a service provider and

[1:10:38] so

[1:10:38] so forth.

[1:10:40] but will administration come back to

[1:10:44] back to us?

[1:10:44] I'm sure you will in terms of making up the difference

[1:10:47] making up the difference because

[1:10:47] obviously

[1:10:48] obviously there is a requirement

[1:10:51] requirement.

[1:10:51] there's a huge requirement that's

[1:10:54] that's there and if those

[1:10:54] dollars are direct risk -- the reserve

[1:11:00] reserve fund that we have. >>

[1:11:05] >> through you those dollars are for

[1:11:09] for the capital, the social housing

[1:11:11] housing capitals what the reserve was intended to

[1:11:12] reserve was intended to support

[1:11:12] .

[1:11:12] if it does come to that we would definitely

[1:11:16] definitely come back to council at

[1:11:18] at that time depending on the dollar value

[1:11:19] dollar value of what we would

[1:11:20] need to compensate for

[1:11:20] need to compensate for.

[1:11:20] we would have to make the decision at

[1:11:26] decision at that time but it would have to

[1:11:27] would have to come to council

[1:11:28] if there

[1:11:29] there were additional dollars required for this

[1:11:30] required for this. >> and finally

[1:11:33] >> and finally I think it's very important and I know we

[1:11:34] important and I know we keep pushing

[1:11:34] pushing back the meeting with

[1:11:37] the city

[1:11:37] the city and so forth but I think

[1:11:38] think it's critical we are at the crossroads here in

[1:11:43] the crossroads here in terms of requirements

[1:11:43] requirements in particular in

[1:11:49] 25 years

[1:11:49] years working on the same agreement

[1:11:51] agreement there needs to be improvements

[1:11:52] improvements.

[1:11:52] >> thank you.

[1:11:57] anybody else?

[1:11:57] I'm going to read the recommendation

[1:12:04] recommendation.

[1:12:04] there's a recommendation before council

[1:12:06] council that the presentation

[1:12:07] for

[1:12:07] for the proposed 2026 community services residential

[1:12:10] services residential services budget

[1:12:11] budget be received and further the

[1:12:13] the 2026 budget estimates community services residential Services

[1:12:17] the 2026 budget estimates community services residential Services

[1:12:17] services be received or received and

[1:12:20] and approved.

[1:12:20] I'm looking to you councillor

[1:12:21] bailey

[1:12:21] bailey.

[1:12:21] >> a question if I could.

[1:12:26] would you preferred to be a separate motion

[1:12:28] separate motion or integrated into this

[1:12:28] into this one?

[1:12:30] I'd like to see the 5-dollar increase per diem

[1:12:33] increase per diem forward subject

[1:12:34] subject to the city matching that

[1:12:35] that, I think it's really essential

[1:12:36] essential at a time when we're talking

[1:12:39] talking about partnership that we are lockstep.

[1:12:40] we are lockstep.

[1:12:40] that's our intention --

[1:12:44] >> I will look to the madam clerk

[1:12:45] clerk.

[1:12:45] >> could amend that wording provided

[1:12:52] provided that the city of windsor increase

[1:12:55] windsor increase by $5 as well

[1:12:55] .

[1:12:55] >> madame morden, may I speak to this

[1:13:03] this motion because it's changed a

[1:13:05] a little?

[1:13:06] >> I wanted to wait to get it

[1:13:11] up on the

[1:13:11] on the board if you don't mind just so we have

[1:13:12] just so we have a clearly in front of us

[1:13:13] front of us.

[1:13:26] the revised motion should be in

[1:13:31] your screens

[1:13:31] your screens.

[1:13:31] >> first I will look to the mover.

[1:13:37] mover.

[1:13:37] you are good with the rewording

[1:13:37] ?

[1:13:37] then we will get a second or.

[1:13:42] you are good with that madame councillor

[1:13:51] councillor?

[1:13:51] seconded by councillor rogers.

[1:13:55]

[1:13:55] I will open the floor to you councillor bailey

[1:14:01] councillor bailey.

[1:14:01] bondy. Too

[1:14:01] too many bees here. >> thank you.

[1:14:07] >> thank you.

[1:14:07] I will be supporting the motion

[1:14:09] . My worry is

[1:14:10] my worry is let's say the city

[1:14:11] of windsor

[1:14:11] of windsor does not and we want

[1:14:11] to

[1:14:11] to because we realize maybe it's more expensive

[1:14:17] more expensive to provide services in

[1:14:18] services in the county because

[1:14:18] we

[1:14:19] we are rural and people have to

[1:14:19] drive father

[1:14:20] drive father -- further and all that

[1:14:23] that stuff.

[1:14:23] would it be a reconsideration

[1:14:25] vote if

[1:14:25] vote if it has to come back?

[1:14:26] I'm worried if the city does not supported

[1:14:27] supported them our folks are just left

[1:14:30] just left hanging. That's my only

[1:14:33] that's my only worry.

[1:14:33] >> a new motion would have to be brought

[1:14:38] brought to provide a standalone

[1:14:43] 5-dollar increase on behalf

[1:14:43] 5-dollar increase on behalf of the county

[1:14:43] the county.

[1:14:43] anyone else? Councillor

[1:14:49] councillor rogers query. >> thank

[1:14:51] >> thank you enter you again maybe a

[1:14:53] maybe a little more clarification

[1:14:53] clarification.

[1:14:53] if and when the city makes their decision and if and

[1:14:57] decision and if and when they

[1:14:58] are opposed

[1:14:58] are opposed either way they land on

[1:15:00] on it, is that a discussion that

[1:15:02] will come

[1:15:02] will come forward as an update from administration

[1:15:03] from administration for us to

[1:15:04] be able

[1:15:04] able to make the motion?

[1:15:06] knowing the process it's not going

[1:15:08] going to have to be a notice of motion

[1:15:09] motion.

[1:15:09] were going to have that within the

[1:15:11] the agenda as an update on be able to

[1:15:13] able to have the discussion at

[1:15:15] that

[1:15:16] that time.

[1:15:16] >> through you ward and, administration

[1:15:18] administration will return with results

[1:15:19] results of the budgeting process

[1:15:20] to confirm either way the

[1:15:21] to confirm either way the decision

[1:15:21] decision.

[1:15:21] >> any further questions then?

[1:15:25] seeing none, councillor bondy did you have

[1:15:28] did you have further comment?

[1:15:28] you see my dilemma, right?

[1:15:35] trying to make sure of got everybody covered and

[1:15:37] everybody covered and also be

[1:15:38] quick

[1:15:38] quick devote.

[1:15:41] asking to vote electronically,

[1:15:41] please.

[1:15:42] please.

[1:15:42] and that's carried. Thank

[1:15:52] thank you.

[1:15:54] thank you team.

[1:15:56] next up is the sun par lindholm.

[1:16:03] for the report we have natasha she

[1:16:05] she learned -- here to present

[1:16:08] .

[1:16:08] this is a first for you.

[1:16:14] don't be nervous, nobody bites

[1:16:16] here. At

[1:16:17] here. At

[1:16:17] at least not -- they're just little

[1:16:18] little.

[1:16:18] >> thank you ward and to council council.

[1:16:23] council. Good morning,

[1:16:23] good morning, everyone.

[1:16:23] presenting the 2026 budget I'd like to start

[1:16:29] like to start off with some thank

[1:16:29] thank youse to the finance team as

[1:16:33] as well as leadership team across the board as

[1:16:35] across the board as the warden

[1:16:36] mention this is my

[1:16:36] mention this is my first year presenting

[1:16:36] presenting.

[1:16:36] bear with me as I make my way through the presentation

[1:16:44] through the presentation.

[1:16:44] the mission statement before you won't be unfamiliar

[1:16:50] won't be unfamiliar.

[1:16:50] many of you have seen this before

[1:16:52] before and prior presentations

[1:16:52] presentations... This continues to

[1:17:00] presentations... This continues to

[1:17:00] this continues to serve as the fundamental

[1:17:03] fundamental service of the home.

[1:17:05] it guides our actions and goals

[1:17:06] . At

[1:17:06] at sun pilar we envision a high-performing

[1:17:09] high-performing vibrant home that welcomes diversity across Staff

[1:17:14] high-performing vibrant home that welcomes diversity across Staff

[1:17:14] staff and residents.

[1:17:15] empowering to foster meaningful

[1:17:20] relationships

[1:17:21] relationships based on compassion

[1:17:22] compassion, innovation and dignity

[1:17:23] dignity that creates an environment

[1:17:24] environment where people want

[1:17:26] to live

[1:17:27] live and work.

[1:17:28] where residents experience excellent quality of

[1:17:29] excellent quality of life and care built on shared

[1:17:30] care built on shared values.

[1:17:30] the budget before you today addresses

[1:17:34] addresses changing aging demographic

[1:17:38] demographic which continues to

[1:17:39] increase

[1:17:40] increase in complexity and acuity.

[1:17:42] acuity.

[1:17:42] however this budget proposed to you today

[1:17:44] you today seeks to meet the needs across that

[1:17:46] needs across that continuum of

[1:17:46] care

[1:17:48] care while running a home that

[1:17:50] everybody

[1:17:50] everybody across the county of

[1:17:51] essex can be proud of

[1:17:51] essex can be proud of.

[1:17:51] the remainder of the presentation

[1:17:57] presentation is broken down by departments

[1:17:59] departments within the home.

[1:17:59] as you can see the overall increase

[1:18:03] increase of approximately 620,000 relates

[1:18:06] 620,000 relates to both nonunion

[1:18:07] and contractual

[1:18:07] and contractual wage increases

[1:18:09] and

[1:18:10] and wage benefits as well.

[1:18:12] there's an increased ongoing replacement

[1:18:18] replacement of it equipment, laptops, smart

[1:18:19] laptops, smart phones, et cetera

[1:18:21] cetera.

[1:18:21] there were rolls previously aligned to the

[1:18:26] aligned to the sun parlour budget

[1:18:26] budget so now we are seeing --

[1:18:30] that were previously

[1:18:32] that were previously aligned to

[1:18:32] various departmental

[1:18:33] various departmental budgets.

[1:18:33] for example, we are now seeing

[1:18:36] hr

[1:18:37] hr resources to the sun par lindholm

[1:18:39] lindholm budget and expense within

[1:18:39] within the sun parlour home budget

[1:18:40] budget before you here today.

[1:18:40] next up we turn to nursing and

[1:18:47] personal care.

[1:18:47] the biggest difference here within

[1:18:52] within sun parlour home the budget last

[1:18:55] budget last year was around $8 million while the projection

[1:19:00] $8 million while the projection

[1:19:00] notes

[1:19:00] notes and overspend we're expecting

[1:19:01] expecting to maintain a balanced

[1:19:03] budget

[1:19:03] budget due to an increase in ministry

[1:19:05] ministry funding that we have

[1:19:06] received. Going into

[1:19:06] going into 2026 you will notice

[1:19:10] a

[1:19:10] a decreased budget reflected down

[1:19:12] down by approximately $1 million as

[1:19:13] as we continue to see increased support from the

[1:19:14] support from the province.

[1:19:14] we had the four hours of care target

[1:19:19] target set by the ministry which is

[1:19:21] is also supported by levy funding

[1:19:23] funding.

[1:19:23] the budget is designed to deliver

[1:19:26] deliver exemplary care and services.

[1:19:27] services.

[1:19:27] we are also welcoming our new director

[1:19:28] director of care and an anticipated

[1:19:33] anticipated nurse practitioners

[1:19:34] so we can

[1:19:36] so we can better understand the opportunities we have and

[1:19:37] opportunities we have and increase the

[1:19:37] increase the quality of care and experience for residents at

[1:19:41] experience for residents at sun parlor home

[1:19:41] parlor home.

[1:19:41] a few other key considerations

[1:19:47] you want

[1:19:48] you want to note is increased

[1:19:51] cost related

[1:19:51] cost related to membership fees

[1:19:51] specific

[1:19:51] specific to our rn group.

[1:19:52] we are now paying for annual college memberships

[1:19:57] college memberships and contractual obligations

[1:19:57] contractual obligations for our staff

[1:19:58] staff.

[1:19:58] next up we turn to life enrichment

[1:20:04] enrichment.

[1:20:04] it's comprised of recreation aids

[1:20:11] aids and physiotherapy assistance

[1:20:11] assistance. It promotes

[1:20:11] it promotes the health and well-being

[1:20:15] well-being of residents through engagement, wellness activity

[1:20:17] engagement, wellness activity and ultimately contributes

[1:20:17] and ultimately contributes towards healthy happy

[1:20:20] towards healthy happy residents.

[1:20:22]

[1:20:22] with a high quality of life --

[1:20:28] approximately

[1:20:30] approximately 140,000 in this

[1:20:32] increase

[1:20:32] increase is directly related to

[1:20:34] support for recreation aids

[1:20:36] support for recreation aids as well

[1:20:37] well as union contractual wage

[1:20:40] increases

[1:20:41] increases and purchase service increases for physiotherapy

[1:20:45] increases for physiotherapy.

[1:20:57] you will see an increase here based solely on

[1:21:01] based solely on contractual -- contractual

[1:21:05] contractual wage increases and cost related to

[1:21:05] cost related to food.

[1:21:05] the increase around 23,000 is

[1:21:19] directly related to contractual Wage

[1:21:19] wage increases in inflationary cost

[1:21:19] cost.

[1:21:19] were seeing an increase attributing

[1:21:29] attributing to our contractual

[1:21:30] wage increases

[1:21:31] wage increases and inflationary

[1:21:32] costs

[1:21:32] costs related to supplies for this

[1:21:32] this department.

[1:21:45] we are also seeing an increase

[1:21:47] in

[1:21:48] in related to external contracts

[1:21:55] that are rising

[1:21:56] that are rising with inflation

[1:21:57] as

[1:21:57] as well.

[1:21:58] and we continue with many items across the

[1:22:01] across the home to replace based

[1:22:04] on

[1:22:05] on life expectancy and lifecycle of

[1:22:05] of those items.

[1:22:05] when we look at our other capital line

[1:22:12] capital line here the bulk of the

[1:22:13] the budget is reserved bonded.

[1:22:15]

[1:22:15] however we are spending less in

[1:22:19] 2026. That

[1:22:21] 2026. That

[1:22:21] that being said we ultimately need to make

[1:22:22] need to make some decisions around

[1:22:24] around capital costs related to renovations

[1:22:28] renovations or investments in

[1:22:30] new building

[1:22:30] new building which will be further

[1:22:31] further supported by a feasibility

[1:22:32] feasibility study we are concluding

[1:22:32] concluding in 2026.

[1:22:35] there will be recommendations coming to

[1:22:37] coming to council once that study is

[1:22:41] study is concluded.

[1:22:41] in summary the overall 2026 budget

[1:22:48] budget for sun parlor home net recoveries

[1:22:49] recoveries totals around 14 million.

[1:22:51] 14 million.

[1:22:51] this is a 0 percent increase over the

[1:22:53] over the 2025 budget which is reflective

[1:22:55] reflective of ministry funding enhancements

[1:22:55] enhancements and leveraging provincially

[1:23:01] provincially funded grants on investments

[1:23:02] investments to enhance or quality of

[1:23:03] quality of care as and when they become

[1:23:04] become available.

[1:23:04] as we look forward to 2026 and

[1:23:10] the initiatives

[1:23:11] the initiatives outlined on the slide

[1:23:12] slide here before you we will

[1:23:15] see there's a

[1:23:15] see there's a few key priorities

[1:23:16] that ensure we maintain building

[1:23:16] standards

[1:23:16] standards, regulations and enhanced functionality

[1:23:21] enhanced functionality across

[1:23:25] very old home.

[1:23:25] our focus is on the quality of

[1:23:28] life for

[1:23:29] life for residents we are surveying while maintaining that Aging

[1:23:31] life for residents we are surveying while maintaining that Aging

[1:23:31] aging infrastructure.

[1:23:31] with that I will conclude and welcome

[1:23:35] welcome any questions or comments from council.

[1:23:38] comments from council.

[1:23:38] thank you.

[1:23:39] >> thank you, well done.

[1:23:43] we will start with you councillor

[1:23:43] councillor rogers. >> thank

[1:23:45] >> thank you and through you I can tell

[1:23:47] can tell you we appreciate the leadership

[1:23:50] leadership and I think were headed in the

[1:23:51] headed in the right direction

[1:23:53] so thank

[1:23:53] thank you for that.

[1:23:53] I know we have a feasibility study coming.

[1:23:56] study coming.

[1:23:56] big elephant in the room with this building

[1:23:59] this building and a lifecycle

[1:24:00] decision to

[1:24:00] decision to make. Maybe a

[1:24:01] maybe a couple of questions.

[1:24:02] one is do we have any idea how much it

[1:24:05] much it costs to renovate per room

[1:24:08] room?

[1:24:08] >> through you the last item we have

[1:24:16] have on that I believe was grey county

[1:24:18] county. That

[1:24:18] that was constructed a couple

[1:24:21] of years ago

[1:24:21] years ago. I

[1:24:21] I believe now. That was

[1:24:22] that was $500,000 per bed. >> big number

[1:24:27] >> big number.

[1:24:27] and just in terms of lifecycle of the

[1:24:32] of the whole facility do we have

[1:24:32] any

[1:24:32] any idea what that date is?

[1:24:36] approximately.

[1:24:36] won't hold you in stone. >> through

[1:24:45] >> through you, warden we have a

[1:24:48] 50 year replacement cycle on

[1:24:48] 50 year replacement cycle on the

[1:24:48] building

[1:24:50] building. However

[1:24:50] however it's a little unique when we

[1:24:53] when we have these standards we have

[1:24:54] have to meet as well.

[1:24:55] it's not just the building, it's meeting

[1:24:58] meeting up to these different

[1:24:59] standards

[1:24:59] standards typically.

[1:25:00] so just have to keep that in mind as

[1:25:00] mind as well. >> thank

[1:25:04] >> thank you and final question

[1:25:04] , how

[1:25:05] how much do we have in the bank

[1:25:07] allocated towards facility total Facility

[1:25:09] allocated towards facility total Facility

[1:25:09] facility replacement?

[1:25:09] >> through you, ward in.

[1:25:17] that's incorporated into our capital.

[1:25:19] capital.

[1:25:19] and capitol we have it split out

[1:25:21] in

[1:25:21] in there and I know we've been saving as much

[1:25:24] saving as much as we can and I

[1:25:25] do

[1:25:26] do think we have -- I believe

[1:25:27] it's about

[1:25:27] it's about 30 million saved. However I

[1:25:30] however I will get back to you to

[1:25:31] to confirm that but I do know

[1:25:35] anytime we

[1:25:35] anytime we can, we're talking

[1:25:36] a way money

[1:25:36] way money there and knowing in the

[1:25:37] the future we are going to do something

[1:25:38] something.

[1:25:38] >> thank you and final one now that

[1:25:43] that big number in the future,

[1:25:44] what is it

[1:25:44] what is it?

[1:25:44] won't hold you to it but an estimate

[1:25:51] estimate. We have

[1:25:51] we have to save $100 million for a new hospital

[1:25:52] a new hospital.

[1:25:52] it's a billion-dollar hospital a couple of

[1:25:56] couple of years ago.

[1:25:56] >> I will speak and not provide

[1:26:02] a

[1:26:03] a number with the feasibility

[1:26:04] study

[1:26:04] study being done to give us the numbers, to

[1:26:07] numbers, to give council a good indicator of what that

[1:26:09] indicator of what that will look like

[1:26:09] like but on that, natasha will add

[1:26:15] add. >> thank

[1:26:15] >> thank you.

[1:26:16] one other piece I would -- a slight peace of

[1:26:17] slight peace of mind if I may is the ministry supplemental

[1:26:21] the ministry supplemental support

[1:26:22] support for rebuilds and redevelopments

[1:26:24] redevelopments, it's at an all-time

[1:26:26] all-time high.

[1:26:26] so I guess what I might offer is the

[1:26:30] the 85 percent support from the ministry

[1:26:33] ministry may give us a bit of

[1:26:37] a competitive

[1:26:37] competitive advantage over what municipal partners

[1:26:38] municipal partners would exceed.

[1:26:40]

[1:26:40] while we do not have the specifics

[1:26:43] specifics here today I think it's an opportune

[1:26:44] it's an opportune time to be having these conversations

[1:26:49] having these conversations and

[1:26:50] certainly appreciated

[1:26:50] certainly appreciated we don't have specifics

[1:26:51] have specifics here but we will come back with those

[1:26:53] come back with those. >>

[1:26:53] >> I appreciated and I'm definitely

[1:26:57] definitely jumping the gun soy assume that study

[1:26:57] assume that study again will provide

[1:26:59] provide the number of beds as well as look

[1:27:02] well as look at possible expansion as

[1:27:03] expansion as well.

[1:27:03] >> I think a key component of the feasibility

[1:27:10] the feasibility study looks at population

[1:27:10] population growth and how we compared

[1:27:13] compared to the broader windsor essex community for

[1:27:14] essex community for sure. >>

[1:27:14] >> thank you.

[1:27:16] >> anyone else?

[1:27:16] there is a recommendation for

[1:27:28] the

[1:27:28] the proposed 2026 sun parlor budget

[1:27:30] budget be received and that the 2026 budget

[1:27:32] 2026 budget estimates be received

[1:27:34] received or received and approved

[1:27:37] approved. Looking to council for

[1:27:37] looking to council for your wishes

[1:27:37] wishes.

[1:27:37] councillor prove. Received and approved

[1:27:42] received and approved?

[1:27:42] >> yes, please. >>

[1:27:46] >> thank you.

[1:27:46] seconded by councillor deyong.

[1:27:54]

[1:27:54] any discussion.

[1:27:55] I will ask you to vote electronically

[1:27:56] electronically, please.

[1:28:09] and that's carried.

[1:28:23] thank you.

[1:28:25] and that's carried. I did

[1:28:29] I did say that?

[1:28:29] it's 10:27 so I would ask for a

[1:28:36] motion to

[1:28:37] motion to recess for 15 minute

[1:28:38] break.

[1:28:38] that motion is essex county councillor recess

[1:28:41] councillor recess until -- let's just make

[1:28:44] just make it 10:45.

[1:28:50] moved by councillor meloche, seconded

[1:28:53] seconded by councillor akpata.

[1:28:54] all in favour of recess?

[1:28:54] that's carried.

[1:28:57] thank you.

[1:28:59]

[1:29:19]

[1:29:19] >> are 15 minutes have passed rather quickly

[1:47:32] rather quickly so we're ready to

[1:47:33] resume

[1:47:34] resume our budget deliberations. Next

[1:47:34] next up we have our chief of essex windsor

[1:47:40] essex windsor emergency medical services here to provide

[1:47:42] services here to provide presentation

[1:47:42] presentation regarding the ems

[1:47:46] 2026 budget

[1:47:47] 2026 budget.

[1:47:47] just and, you are up. >> good

[1:47:49] >> good morning and thank you.

[1:47:50]

[1:47:50] I'm pleased to present the proposed

[1:47:53] proposed 2026 ems departmental budget

[1:47:55] budget for consideration. The account --

[1:47:57] the account -- is present... As well as

[1:48:02] as well as speak to challenges and

[1:48:02] and issued during development

[1:48:05] of the

[1:48:05] the 2026 budget.

[1:48:05] presenting the budget and two components

[1:48:11] components through the funding of

[1:48:13] of each aspect. Versus medical services and

[1:48:14] versus medical services and the

[1:48:14] second for

[1:48:17] second for volunteer care. For

[1:48:18] for clarity emergency management

[1:48:19] has

[1:48:20] has been moved under -- over under the leadership

[1:48:20] under the leadership of health and safety

[1:48:23] and safety in human resources...

[1:48:25]

[1:48:25] the chart on the screen is an overall total of

[1:48:30] overall total of expenditures

[1:48:31] for

[1:48:31] for -- I will address each section of the budget separately

[1:48:36] section of the budget separately

[1:48:36] separately. In developing

[1:48:36] in developing the 2026 budget we

[1:48:38] reviewed the

[1:48:40] reviewed the current upcoming priorities

[1:48:40] priorities with a primary focus

[1:48:41] on

[1:48:42] on preparing for future growth, continuous quality improvement

[1:48:43] continuous quality improvement

[1:48:43] , innovation

[1:48:43] innovation and response times.

[1:48:46]

[1:48:46] with that we will begin with the emergency

[1:48:50] emergency medical services budget

[1:48:52] budget.

[1:48:52] the proposed budget is 4.37 4.37 percent

[1:48:55] 4.37 percent increase over the

[1:48:55] 2025 budget

[1:48:57] 2025 budget as it relates to expenditures

[1:49:00] expenditures on the county responsibility

[1:49:01] responsibility increases...

[1:49:01] factors for the proposed budget

[1:49:07] are eight paramedics

[1:49:07] are eight paramedics including

[1:49:07] 12 hour shifts

[1:49:08] 12 hour shifts starting in june

[1:49:10] june 2026.

[1:49:11] june 2026.

[1:49:11] one manager of physical resources

[1:49:14] resources to support infrastructure

[1:49:14] infrastructure growth. Anticipated

[1:49:15] anticipated asset management replacement

[1:49:17] replacement of vehicles.

[1:49:18] improving the quality work we're

[1:49:19] doing in planning for the

[1:49:19] doing in planning for the future

[1:49:19] future.

[1:49:19] our funding is based on 50 50 percent

[1:49:24] 50 percent of the prior year's

[1:49:25] budget

[1:49:25] budget.

[1:49:25] 50 percent funded by the ministry

[1:49:27] ministry of health and remaining

[1:49:29] 50 percent divided within the Local

[1:49:30] 50 percent divided within the Local

[1:49:30] local municipal partners based

[1:49:33] on weighted assessment

[1:49:33] on weighted assessment.

[1:49:33] it's estimated the weighted assessment

[1:49:35] assessment will continue to increase

[1:49:37] increase the county's responsibility

[1:49:37] responsibility is development and growth continues to

[1:49:38] and growth continues to rise.

[1:49:38] every year we conducted disciplinary

[1:49:44] disciplinary budget to identify opportunities

[1:49:46] opportunities to reduce cost, reallocate

[1:49:48] reallocate resources more effectively

[1:49:50] effectively and reinvest in areas that

[1:49:51] areas that deliver the greatest

[1:49:53] impact for operations

[1:49:54] impact for operations. We

[1:49:54] we continue to advocate for system-level

[1:49:56] system-level changes that reduce demand on

[1:49:57] demand on 911 in the first place place.

[1:50:02] place.

[1:50:02] we actively pursue innovative opportunities

[1:50:04] opportunities from new technologies

[1:50:05] technologies to alternative care

[1:50:06] pathways

[1:50:07] pathways to deliver better patient outcomes

[1:50:07] patient outcomes while delivering

[1:50:07] delivering cost and reducing pressure to front-line

[1:50:12] pressure to front-line resources

[1:50:13] resources. The

[1:50:13] the main system impact on our services call volumes.

[1:50:15] services call volumes.

[1:50:15] you can see in the chart there's a

[1:50:19] a couple projection lines based

[1:50:20] on percentage

[1:50:20] on percentage increases.

[1:50:21] for 2025 looking at 1.5 to 2 2 percent increase

[1:50:24] 2 percent increase in responses we

[1:50:24] we will no better when the years

[1:50:27] concluded

[1:50:27] concluded.

[1:50:27] on the turkey only projection

[1:50:29] line

[1:50:29] line is 4 percent and 5 percent. I

[1:50:30] I want to make a note that these slides

[1:50:33] slides in september where we were forecasting 4.3

[1:50:34] were forecasting 4.3 percent increase

[1:50:36] increase. We

[1:50:36] we reviewed our numbers on with

[1:50:38] q4

[1:50:39] q4 numbers being slightly lower

[1:50:40] than previous

[1:50:41] than previous at this moment will be

[1:50:42] will be under the master plan projection

[1:50:43] projection a 4.5 percent for 2025.

[1:50:45] 2025.

[1:50:45] staffing levels we continue to focus

[1:50:49] focus on improving working conditions

[1:50:50] conditions to ensure those were

[1:50:51] working

[1:50:51] working here want to stay here.

[1:50:54]

[1:50:54] and engage in ongoing recruitment

[1:50:55] recruitment efforts locally and

[1:50:56] across the

[1:50:57] across the province for individuals interested

[1:50:57] individuals interested in coming

[1:50:59] to work for essex

[1:50:59] to work for essex windsor ems.

[1:50:59]

[1:50:59] ambulance offload delays are occurring

[1:51:04] occurring but magnitude has been reduced compared

[1:51:05] reduced compared to previous years

[1:51:06] years and I'm happy to tell you for

[1:51:07] for the month of september and october

[1:51:09] october and november of this year

[1:51:11] year, were down 32 percent compared

[1:51:12] compared to the same period of

[1:51:14] time

[1:51:14] time last year and were seeing

[1:51:15] some movement

[1:51:16] some movement.

[1:51:16] that's 1267 staff ambulance hours back on her

[1:51:19] hours back on her street.

[1:51:21] two new 12 hour shifts in the

[1:51:27] 2026 budget

[1:51:27] 2026 budget through prebudget

[1:51:28] approval the

[1:51:28] approval the two new ambulances

[1:51:28] have

[1:51:29] have been ordered and within the

[1:51:31] budget eight paramedics

[1:51:32] budget eight paramedics requested the operationalize

[1:51:33] requested the operationalize let

[1:51:33] him as you recall from director

[1:51:34] him as you recall from director

[1:51:34] of

[1:51:34] of hr reporting to council on october 15th

[1:51:37] october 15th eight paramedics

[1:51:40] were

[1:51:40] were being requested and initially we

[1:51:42] initially we asked for four primary

[1:51:44] primary care and four advanced

[1:51:45] care paramedics

[1:51:45] care paramedics.

[1:51:45] since then we had discussions

[1:51:48] with

[1:51:48] with the 2974 executive and reversed a

[1:51:49] reversed a request for the four acp to convert them

[1:51:52] acp to convert them in to pcp. A total

[1:51:52] a total of 12 -- the reason for this is currently

[1:51:57] this is currently we have open spots on

[1:52:00] spots on or scheduled without

[1:52:02] working

[1:52:02] working that spot it creates a

[1:52:05] temporary

[1:52:05] temporary full-time position which is unfavourable

[1:52:07] which is unfavourable for part-time staff

[1:52:08] part-time staff looking to go

[1:52:10] permanent

[1:52:10] permanent full-time. Understanding

[1:52:10] understanding the paramedic positions

[1:52:12] positions are likely required

[1:52:13] in the foreseeable

[1:52:13] the foreseeable future will continue to work

[1:52:15] continue to work with the union

[1:52:16] executive to

[1:52:16] executive to better strategize

[1:52:16] on

[1:52:17] on how to fill these spots and

[1:52:18] if

[1:52:19] if there's a time when individuals

[1:52:20] individuals within the service

[1:52:21] are qualified

[1:52:22] are qualified as advanced care paramedics we looked --

[1:52:22] paramedics we looked -- work to

[1:52:24] --

[1:52:27] -- through processes allocating percentage of her

[1:52:27] percentage of her...

[1:52:27] a manager fiscal resource position included beginning

[1:52:35] position included beginning of the

[1:52:36] the second quarter of 2026 which will support oversight

[1:52:38] will support oversight investment

[1:52:39] investment facilities and equipment operations

[1:52:42] equipment operations during timely

[1:52:43] timely efficient and accountable

[1:52:45] project

[1:52:45] project execution by focusing on

[1:52:47] process management

[1:52:47] process management, compliance

[1:52:48] and preventative

[1:52:48] and preventative maintenance to

[1:52:49] reduce bottlenecks

[1:52:51] reduce bottlenecks, strengthen infrastructure

[1:52:52] infrastructure readiness and address findings

[1:52:52] address findings from the 2024 ministry review. In line

[1:52:55] address findings from the 2024 ministry review. In line

[1:52:55] in line with the 2024 master plan refresh

[1:52:59] plan refresh the role will help

[1:53:00] the service

[1:53:01] the service manager growing operational

[1:53:02] operational complexity and support future

[1:53:02] support future initiatives.

[1:53:02] second human capital investment as additional

[1:53:08] as additional services provided

[1:53:10] by human

[1:53:10] by human resources generalist

[1:53:12] within human resources to

[1:53:12] within human resources to be shared

[1:53:13] shared with a long-term care home

[1:53:14] home.

[1:53:14] the position will provide essential hr

[1:53:17] essential hr support to essex

[1:53:19] windsor ems

[1:53:19] windsor ems by managing recruitment

[1:53:21] recruitment, onboarding and compliance

[1:53:22] compliance processes ensuring timely

[1:53:25] timely hiring and reducing risk through certifications

[1:53:26] through certifications on regulatory

[1:53:28] regulatory breaches. Delivering front-line

[1:53:29] delivering front-line guidance to supervisors and

[1:53:29] to supervisors and managers on

[1:53:31] investigations

[1:53:33] investigations and employee accommodations

[1:53:33] accommodations while strengthening return to

[1:53:34] strengthening return to work programs to

[1:53:37] programs to improve both risk management

[1:53:38] management and staff experience

[1:53:40] by taking on these additional Responsibilities

[1:53:42] by taking on these additional Responsibilities

[1:53:42] responsibilities the role will free

[1:53:43] free up the hr management focus

[1:53:45] on

[1:53:46] on strategic initiatives labour relations and long-term Workforce

[1:53:47] on strategic initiatives labour relations and long-term Workforce

[1:53:47] workforce planning.

[1:53:47] some smaller budgetary impact

[1:53:52] you will notice maintenance

[1:53:52] you will notice maintenance on

[1:53:53] technical support is

[1:53:53] technical support is being requested

[1:53:55] requested for the installation

[1:53:56] of ambulances

[1:53:56] of ambulances. The transition

[1:53:57] the transition to ipads will save money

[1:53:59] save money and replacement cost is the

[1:53:59] is the previous technology laptops

[1:54:03] laptops we're -- expensive.

[1:54:04] the transition allows us to leverage

[1:54:06] leverage more robust and accurate

[1:54:08] accurate mapping software.

[1:54:09] we've included slight budget line

[1:54:09] line increases the support wellness initiatives

[1:54:14] wellness initiatives, public relations and

[1:54:15] relations and stayton -- station management

[1:54:17] management and repairs.

[1:54:18] in 2026 we will plates seven ambulances

[1:54:21] ambulances, one logistics vehicle and

[1:54:23] vehicle and one administrative vehicle additionally

[1:54:23] vehicle additionally as part of the

[1:54:25] the capital plan ems will continue

[1:54:27] continue to move forward with the facilities

[1:54:29] the facilities project while our team manages

[1:54:30] team manages the work funding

[1:54:32] for the capital projects

[1:54:32] for the capital projects is reflected

[1:54:33] reflected in the finance budget

[1:54:35] as the county owns the

[1:54:35] as the county owns the assets.

[1:54:35]

[1:54:35] I will switch over to community paramedics

[1:54:40] paramedics and for long-term care

[1:54:41] care.

[1:54:41] it's funded 100 percent by the ministry of

[1:54:43] ministry of long-term care and

[1:54:45] as

[1:54:46] as a component of integrated healthcare

[1:54:47] healthcare program. New this year

[1:54:48] new this year the ministry of long-term care

[1:54:48] long-term care and outs funding would be

[1:54:51] would be made permanent and essex

[1:54:53] essex awaiting on the details

[1:54:55] of the allocation

[1:54:55] the allocation before we proceed proceed.

[1:54:57] proceed.

[1:54:57] the program is fully funded by the

[1:54:59] the ministry of long-term care and

[1:55:01] and there's no requirement for county

[1:55:01] county funding.

[1:55:01] this slide includes the positions that were

[1:55:07] positions that were tabled when we were working

[1:55:10] we were working collaboratively with the county

[1:55:10] with the county of essex due to the mandate for

[1:55:13] the mandate for the levy increase. These did

[1:55:16] the mandate for the levy increase. These did

[1:55:16] these did not make it but I will speak to each

[1:55:18] speak to each one of these as we

[1:55:18] go

[1:55:18] go through.

[1:55:20] additional training hours expanding

[1:55:22] expanding training hours for windsor

[1:55:24] windsor essex for education that

[1:55:28] insures adopting

[1:55:29] insures adopting new protocols

[1:55:29] such

[1:55:30] such as training release and emergency

[1:55:32] emergency department diversion

[1:55:33] . Support special

[1:55:33] support special projects and teams and stay

[1:55:35] teams and stay current with mandatory

[1:55:36] mandatory updates on best practices. Investment support strengthening

[1:55:38] mandatory updates on best practices. Investment support strengthening

[1:55:38] investment support strengthening

[1:55:38] staff to leadership

[1:55:38] staff to leadership, relationships

[1:55:43] relationships, fostering resilient

[1:55:44] resilient teams and trauma informed

[1:55:45] informed care in the service for provincial reforms

[1:55:47] provincial reforms without additional

[1:55:47] additional hours remains capped

[1:55:51] it's important to

[1:55:51] it's important to note eight of the

[1:55:51] the hours we have are from training. We

[1:55:55] the hours we have are from training. We

[1:55:55] we have no control over the contents essentially

[1:55:57] contents essentially the service

[1:55:57] gets

[1:55:58] gets eight hours with the stop once per

[1:55:58] once per year.

[1:55:58] with those eight hours it's going

[1:56:05] going to force legislative and operational

[1:56:06] operational changes, wellness

[1:56:08] on leadership

[1:56:08] leadership and updates to compete for

[1:56:08] compete for limited time.

[1:56:10] we have the pds coming down in

[1:56:12] 2027. We

[1:56:14] 2027. We

[1:56:14] we have new software rolling out

[1:56:15] in

[1:56:15] in 2026 that we need to train

[1:56:17] on it

[1:56:18] it. It

[1:56:18] it becomes difficult to make that

[1:56:19] that happen.

[1:56:20] it results in fragmented transfer

[1:56:22] transfer, and consistent practice

[1:56:24] practice and missed opportunities

[1:56:25] opportunities to safeguard staff well-being

[1:56:26] well-being built leadership capacity and sustain

[1:56:29] capacity and sustain long-term workforce stability. The commander

[1:56:30] capacity and sustain long-term workforce stability. The commander

[1:56:30] the commander of operations introducing

[1:56:34] introducing capacity with an operations

[1:56:36] operations department to strengthen

[1:56:36] strengthen operational performance

[1:56:38] performance by creating oversight deployment

[1:56:39] oversight deployment efficiency

[1:56:40] and

[1:56:40] and realtime issue resolution.

[1:56:41] it'll

[1:56:41] it'll also enhance staff engagement through increased Leadership

[1:56:44] it'll also enhance staff engagement through increased Leadership

[1:56:44] leadership presence on mentor ship

[1:56:46] ship which builds greater resiliency

[1:56:48] resiliency for date -- daily operational

[1:56:50] operational issues, large-scale

[1:56:51] incidents and

[1:56:52] incidents and ensures consistent application

[1:56:53] application of policies across the service

[1:56:54] the service.

[1:56:54] without the position the deputy chief

[1:56:56] chief and front-line management

[1:56:57] team

[1:56:59] team will continue to remain somewhat

[1:57:00] somewhat a reactive posture with difficulties in

[1:57:01] difficulties in proactive planning

[1:57:02] planning result will be ongoing performance

[1:57:06] performance gaps and consistent oversight

[1:57:06] oversight and limited readiness to

[1:57:07] to meet the strategic priorities

[1:57:08] priorities.

[1:57:08] communications officers, I'm going to

[1:57:11] going to speak to this inside of legislative

[1:57:15] legislative and legal services

[1:57:16] under david's department coming

[1:57:17] under david's department coming

[1:57:17] from

[1:57:18] from essex windsor ems in establishing a

[1:57:21] establishing a dedicated communications

[1:57:21] communications resource will significantly strengthen

[1:57:26] significantly strengthen public

[1:57:27] education safety

[1:57:27] education safety and engagement

[1:57:28] while providing

[1:57:28] while providing a reliable framework for

[1:57:30] framework for launching community programs

[1:57:32] community programs such as our community

[1:57:33] community education.

[1:57:34] this role will continue to build ems

[1:57:37] ems specific brand awareness,

[1:57:39] promote recruitment

[1:57:39] promote recruitment and retention

[1:57:40] retention and enhance county and

[1:57:42] ems reputation

[1:57:42] ems reputation through consistent

[1:57:43] consistent messaging and evidence-based

[1:57:44] evidence-based outreach. Boosting

[1:57:44] boosting our social media presence particularly

[1:57:50] presence particularly video content

[1:57:50] content and collaboration with stakeholders

[1:57:51] stakeholders the position is anticipated

[1:57:53] anticipated to improve recognition

[1:57:54] recognition, community trust and

[1:57:56] without

[1:57:56] without approval ems will remain

[1:57:58] dependent on the

[1:57:58] dependent on the current communications

[1:57:59] communications department support

[1:57:59] support which is doing a good job

[1:58:01] job but ems does eat up a lot

[1:58:03] of their time. There's a lot

[1:58:04] of their time. There's a lot

[1:58:04] there's a lot happening in ems

[1:58:04] and

[1:58:06] and we send stuff very frequently

[1:58:08] frequently pick the considerable

[1:58:09] workload

[1:58:10] workload on the department.

[1:58:12] community programs coordinator

[1:58:14] establishing

[1:58:14] establishing a full-time community programs coordinator

[1:58:15] community programs coordinator

[1:58:15] will

[1:58:16] will build on the concert -- the considerable

[1:58:19] considerable gains achieved... Across

[1:58:21] across our community educating

[1:58:22] our youth

[1:58:23] our youth, promoting the profession and strengthening

[1:58:23] profession and strengthening public

[1:58:23] public trust.

[1:58:25] the role will ensure consistent

[1:58:26] outreach

[1:58:27] outreach, training, ongoing program

[1:58:32] program expansion and engaging

[1:58:33] in

[1:58:34] in joint initiatives with other emergency services

[1:58:36] emergency services and healthcare

[1:58:37] healthcare partners while providing meaningful

[1:58:38] providing meaningful opportunities

[1:58:39] opportunities for modified duty

[1:58:40] personnel

[1:58:40] personnel and those returning from operational

[1:58:42] from operational stress leave

[1:58:43] to reengage

[1:58:43] reengage with the uniform before

[1:58:45] resuming full front-line duties

[1:58:45] .

[1:58:45] by sustaining visibility and proactive engagement

[1:58:51] proactive engagement the position

[1:58:53] position will enhance ems's reputation

[1:58:54] reputation as innovative and community

[1:58:56] community focused.

[1:58:56] seeking to improve bystander intervention

[1:58:58] intervention rates for all emergencies

[1:58:58] emergencies, reduce preventable

[1:59:01] 911 calls. Without

[1:59:02] 911 calls. Without

[1:59:02] without approval will be forced

[1:59:04] to

[1:59:05] to scale back its current presence

[1:59:07] presence limiting public education

[1:59:09] education, 880 awareness and decreasing

[1:59:10] decreasing the momentum that's already been

[1:59:11] already been built.

[1:59:12] ems systems analyst director of it

[1:59:16] it will speak to this but I can

[1:59:18] tell

[1:59:18] tell you from an ems perspective

[1:59:20] because

[1:59:20] because it's a very technical

[1:59:23] position we have

[1:59:23] position we have extensive software and

[1:59:23] software and data resources but

[1:59:25] they

[1:59:25] they are not fully optimized pick the

[1:59:27] pick the systems analyst roll would focus

[1:59:28] would focus on improving these

[1:59:29] tools

[1:59:30] tools on driving efficiency and enabling systemwide innovation

[1:59:31] enabling systemwide innovation

[1:59:31] .

[1:59:31] finally vehicle services technician

[1:59:37] technician.

[1:59:37] with previous on the upcoming vehicle additions to the

[1:59:39] vehicle additions to the fleet the workload

[1:59:39] the workload on our vehicle support technician

[1:59:44] support technician is starting to

[1:59:45] to outpace capacity posing risk to preventative maintenance

[1:59:48] to preventative maintenance, reliability and compliance

[1:59:49] reliability and compliance, introducing

[1:59:51] introducing a second will strengthen

[1:59:52] strengthen operational performance

[1:59:53] performance by ensuring timely

[1:59:55] repairs

[1:59:56] repairs, inspections and documentation

[1:59:57] documentation, reducing reliance

[1:59:59] on outsourcing

[1:59:59] on outsourcing and providing critical redundancy

[2:00:00] critical redundancy during absences

[2:00:01] absences or peak demand.

[2:00:02] we don't have a backup so when the individuals

[2:00:04] the individuals taking vacation

[2:00:06] we are outsourcing

[2:00:07] we are outsourcing the work.

[2:00:08] the added capacity will improve

[2:00:10] a

[2:00:10] a fit -- available to, safeguard

[2:00:13] staff with reliable vehicles and

[2:00:14] staff with reliable vehicles and

[2:00:14] position the

[2:00:14] position the service sustainably and cost-effectively

[2:00:18] and cost-effectively.

[2:00:18] without the role the model will continue to generate backlogs And

[2:00:21] without the role the model will continue to generate backlogs And

[2:00:21] and compliance gaps down time leaving the organization

[2:00:25] leaving the organization reactive

[2:00:25] reactive or unable to meet the demands

[2:00:27] demands of the expanding fleet and service

[2:00:27] and service delivery model.

[2:00:27] in conclusion I thank you for the opportunity

[2:00:33] the opportunity to present the proposed

[2:00:34] proposed 2026 emergency to service

[2:00:36] service -- department budget to

[2:00:38] council

[2:00:39] council.

[2:00:39] I'd like to thank councillors...

[2:00:41]

[2:00:41] miss heidi macleod, kelly schmidt

[2:00:43] schmidt and the essex windsor

[2:00:45] senior leadership

[2:00:45] senior leadership team for the preparation

[2:00:45] preparation of the budget and

[2:00:47] I'd like to

[2:00:47] I'd like to thank the entire team at

[2:00:49] team at essex windsor for the

[2:00:51] continued dedication

[2:00:51] continued dedication. I'm

[2:00:51] I'm open to any questions at council may have

[2:00:52] council may have.

[2:00:52] >> thanks. Are there

[2:00:56] are there any questions regarding

[2:00:58] regarding the>> are 2026 budget estimates

[2:01:01] estimates there any questions?

[2:01:02] ?

[2:01:02] starting with you. >> thank you for

[2:01:08] >> thank you for the presentation, I

[2:01:08] presentation, I

[2:01:08] know it is not an easy thing

[2:01:11] an easy thing for anyone to do but the

[2:01:14] but the one item you cut was the additional

[2:01:17] additional training hours and I feel

[2:01:20] feel like you did use the word mandatory training that we

[2:01:22] mandatory training that we would not be

[2:01:23] not be getting if we didn't have those additional

[2:01:25] those additional hours.

[2:01:25] is that correct?

[2:01:26] >> we would have to define mandatory

[2:01:32] mandatory but anything that comes down

[2:01:33] comes down from the province,

[2:01:35] we do have

[2:01:35] do have to train and we would try to

[2:01:36] try to find ways to do it. Essentially we get

[2:01:38] essentially we get one day with all

[2:01:38] all of our staff and we pack everything

[2:01:41] everything in and then we try to get innovative

[2:01:42] get innovative with putting champions on the street

[2:01:44] champions on the street, developing

[2:01:44] developing field training officer

[2:01:48] officer roles and getting them out

[2:01:49] out there. Anything mandatory

[2:01:50] anything mandatory from the minister

[2:01:51] minister of health we would absolutely

[2:01:52] absolutely be taking care of the

[2:01:53] training and we would leave

[2:01:54] training and we would leave that undone

[2:01:54] undone.

[2:01:54] however, there is more than just that happening

[2:01:57] that happening and once a year

[2:02:01] out of 12 months we get

[2:02:01] out of 12 months we get six weeks in the

[2:02:02] weeks in the fall and things have

[2:02:05] have happened in february and

[2:02:07] march trying

[2:02:07] march trying to get that communication and get the

[2:02:07] communication and get the training done

[2:02:08] training done so it becomes very difficult

[2:02:10] difficult.

[2:02:10] >> you have asked for an additional

[2:02:17] additional 199,935 if we could included

[2:02:21] included in the budget. How many

[2:02:21] how many ours is that her person

[2:02:24] in

[2:02:25] in order to get the training that is

[2:02:26] that is needed?

[2:02:27] training is extremely important

[2:02:29] whether

[2:02:33] whether you are new or whether

[2:02:34] you are seasoned

[2:02:35] you are seasoned, training is something we should never

[2:02:35] something we should never shove to the

[2:02:36] to the side and I would be hoping

[2:02:37] hoping that council may see that

[2:02:41] this is an

[2:02:41] this is an item we should add

[2:02:42] to the budget

[2:02:42] the budget.

[2:02:42] what would that give to each of

[2:02:44] our ems workers

[2:02:44] our ems workers?

[2:02:44] >> another eight hours of training to

[2:02:50] training to each paramedic the service. >> thank you

[2:02:50] >> thank you.

[2:02:55] councillor gibb. >>

[2:02:56] >> thank you, madam morden.

[2:02:56] through you to the chief, could you expand

[2:03:01] you expand on this community programs coordinator

[2:03:06] programs coordinator and if you could talk more

[2:03:06] could talk more about the success

[2:03:09] success of our public access defibrillator

[2:03:11] defibrillator program and what

[2:03:14] you feel

[2:03:14] you feel will happen to that program if this

[2:03:16] program if this coordinated position is

[2:03:18] position is not funded?

[2:03:19] >> through you warden, the coordinator

[2:03:24] coordinator is a position you

[2:03:25] are likely all familiar

[2:03:25] are likely all familiar with with the

[2:03:28] with the enbridge grant, an individual

[2:03:29] individual that works with us

[2:03:31] that

[2:03:31] that is out on the street promoting

[2:03:32] promoting the uptake and use of public

[2:03:33] public access defibrillators but

[2:03:33] also a big part

[2:03:35] also a big part of public education

[2:03:38] education. For about

[2:03:38] for about a year and a half we have

[2:03:40] have been making this work in previous it was

[2:03:41] previous it was a piecemeal operation

[2:03:42] operation who was not able to be at work

[2:03:44] at work, someone on modified duties

[2:03:47] duties, we had no running cadence

[2:03:49] cadence of a strategy of a plan to make sure we

[2:03:50] to make sure we could continue doing

[2:03:50] doing it.

[2:03:51] when this individual started we had

[2:03:56] had roughly 300 public access

[2:03:57] defibrillators mapped out on

[2:03:57] defibrillators mapped out on the

[2:03:57] street,

[2:03:59] street, we are over 1400, about

[2:04:00] 85 have

[2:04:00] 85 have been -- are brand-new

[2:04:05] that

[2:04:05] that have been installed in organizations

[2:04:06] organizations as a result of the work this

[2:04:07] work this individual is doing.

[2:04:07]

[2:04:07] we are starting down the road,

[2:04:11] every municipality has

[2:04:13] every municipality has supported

[2:04:13] that

[2:04:15] that and in rotate cabinets, that is

[2:04:18] that is the next division to make

[2:04:19] make sure it's not locked up behind closed

[2:04:21] behind closed doors. Over

[2:04:21] over 50 schools, educating over

[2:04:22] 2000 people

[2:04:24] 2000 people and over 1200 of those being students

[2:04:27] those being students and 134 public

[2:04:30] public session so what would happen

[2:04:30] happen is we would do the best

[2:04:31] we

[2:04:31] we could with what we have but

[2:04:32] it will be fragmented

[2:04:32] it will be fragmented.

[2:04:32] we would definitely lose the gains

[2:04:36] gains that we've had, it would

[2:04:37] not be a

[2:04:37] not be a hard stop but it would not be what

[2:04:40] not be what you see right now.

[2:04:41] >> as a follow-up, if I may, you talk

[2:04:47] talk about building community resilience, this

[2:04:48] resilience, this position builds community resilience

[2:04:48] community resilience.

[2:04:48] how does that affect in the situations

[2:04:55] situations where we have code code red,

[2:04:57] code red, code block, how does it

[2:04:57] it assist you and your team to

[2:05:00] provide

[2:05:00] provide that, you know, life-saving care

[2:05:04] life-saving care when the system is stretched

[2:05:07] is stretched?

[2:05:07] >> I will break that into 2 2 pillars,

[2:05:13] 2 pillars, one being the defibrillator

[2:05:14] defibrillator.

[2:05:14] we know that if a defibrillators

[2:05:15] applied within the

[2:05:16] applied within the first minute

[2:05:17] there is

[2:05:17] there is a 90% chance of survival and it goes

[2:05:18] survival and it goes down temper

[2:05:19] sense every minute after that

[2:05:21] sense every minute after that.

[2:05:21] the

[2:05:21] the more knowing how to do cpr

[2:05:26] and have

[2:05:26] and have access to a defibrillator

[2:05:27] defibrillator and know how to

[2:05:28] use it

[2:05:28] use it is putting our hands further

[2:05:29] further into the community and

[2:05:29] leverage

[2:05:31] leverage lay responders and that

[2:05:34] has

[2:05:34] has it's own trajectory is how far we

[2:05:35] far we can go with that. The

[2:05:36] the other piece is the public

[2:05:39] relations,

[2:05:39] relations, getting to the schools and

[2:05:40] schools and talking to the people and

[2:05:41] people and went to call 911 and how to stop

[2:05:43] how to stop a bleed, all of these things that

[2:05:43] these things that are happening

[2:05:45] that

[2:05:46] that are educating our youth and our community

[2:05:47] our community members to make the

[2:05:47] the right call.

[2:05:47] that maybe 911 is not the option

[2:05:50] or we are improving mortality

[2:05:53] or we are improving mortality

[2:05:53] rates

[2:05:53] rates because they are being able

[2:05:57] able to apply basic first aid and skills

[2:05:58] and skills while the paramedic

[2:05:59] 's are on their

[2:06:00] are on their way so every person in the community

[2:06:01] in the community that understands

[2:06:01] understands our mission and how

[2:06:03] they

[2:06:04] they can contribute as a good steward of

[2:06:04] steward of our community is a bonus for us

[2:06:07] bonus for us.

[2:06:07] >> thank you very much.

[2:06:09] I look to the warden, I would like to

[2:06:15] like to make a motion to add this

[2:06:16] this position to the budget and I don't

[2:06:17] I don't know if now is the appropriate

[2:06:18] appropriate time to have the discussion

[2:06:19] discussion or if it should wait.

[2:06:23] >> what if we take all the comments around the

[2:06:26] comments around the table first and

[2:06:26] and then when I read the recommendation

[2:06:30] recommendation you can add to it

[2:06:34] it,

[2:06:34] it, whatever you would like to do. Is that

[2:06:35] it, whatever you would like to do. Is that

[2:06:35] is that okay?

[2:06:35] there may still be some more suggestions

[2:06:38] suggestions.

[2:06:38] okay, thank you.

[2:06:41] councillor bondy. >>

[2:06:44] >> thank you warden mcdonald, I

[2:06:47] I want to thank the councilmember

[2:06:49] councilmember across the table

[2:06:50] .

[2:06:50] I will easily support that and I'm

[2:06:51] I'm hoping the balance to support

[2:06:54] support that.

[2:06:54] I have a couple questions. When it says excluded

[2:06:56] when it says excluded from budget

[2:06:57] budget ranked in order, does that mean

[2:06:59] that mean that is the order of preference from administration

[2:07:01] preference from administration

[2:07:01] as a whole

[2:07:02] as a whole and how they would like to

[2:07:04] like to see if we were to bring any

[2:07:04] any positions back?

[2:07:04] because the community programs

[2:07:07] coordinator

[2:07:07] coordinator is ranked number 1 so is that

[2:07:12] so is that from an administrative

[2:07:13] administrative point of view and I'm talking about

[2:07:14] I'm talking about appendix three three,

[2:07:16] three, does that mean that position is

[2:07:18] position is the most important to

[2:07:19] to bring back?

[2:07:19] it's appendix three. >>

[2:07:32] >> I will speak to appendix three and I

[2:07:32] three and I will let chief lammers

[2:07:36] lammers speak. What we did as

[2:07:36] what we did as senior leadership

[2:07:36] is

[2:07:39] is we had all of these items on the table

[2:07:41] the table and we decided as a leadership

[2:07:41] leadership team we ranked what we thought

[2:07:45] we thought was most important

[2:07:46] and we

[2:07:46] and we tallied up the results to

[2:07:46] present to

[2:07:46] present to council in that fashion

[2:07:49] fashion to everything there was a collective

[2:07:51] a collective effort based on all

[2:07:52] of the senior leadership

[2:07:52] of the senior leadership team decisions

[2:07:55] decisions but I will let justin speak

[2:07:56] speak to the importance of the

[2:07:58] position in respective

[2:08:00] position in respective of all of his items

[2:08:04] his items. >> thank you

[2:08:04] >> thank you.

[2:08:04] just looking at the slides here,

[2:08:08] if

[2:08:08] if you are asking what the order

[2:08:10] of preference is

[2:08:10] of preference is, obviously the community

[2:08:14] community programs coordinator,

[2:08:15] that is

[2:08:15] that is going to have a big impact

[2:08:16] impact across the board if we

[2:08:17] don't have that

[2:08:17] don't have that.

[2:08:17] additional training ours for me is

[2:08:22] is a big one. We

[2:08:23] we definitely are not training

[2:08:24] our staff as often

[2:08:25] our staff as often as we should and

[2:08:26] and when I compare ourselves to

[2:08:27] others services

[2:08:28] others services in the province,

[2:08:28] we are low on the

[2:08:28] we are low on the side of training.

[2:08:30] we are low on the side of training.

[2:08:30] it's been a budgetary ask for quite

[2:08:32] quite some time but has not been able to make it

[2:08:33] able to make it to the table.

[2:08:33] outside of that, any capacity,

[2:08:38] any support we

[2:08:38] any support we can get as a whole to

[2:08:40] whole to continue on the development

[2:08:40] development and the growth of this organization

[2:08:41] this organization, would be appreciated

[2:08:43] appreciated.

[2:08:43] >> thank you for that.

[2:08:48] I see several positions from ems

[2:08:52] so it is under

[2:08:56] so it is under 12.2 budget overview

[2:08:58] overview in case some other members

[2:09:01] members of council can't see it because

[2:09:02] because you have to go back.

[2:09:02] I am wondering what else we can

[2:09:07] do.

[2:09:08] do.

[2:09:08] I know we don't like to raise the levee

[2:09:12] the levee but the levy is a very reasonable

[2:09:12] reasonable levy and when it comes to

[2:09:16] comes to ems, we need to support ems

[2:09:18] ems more than we need to support

[2:09:20] the

[2:09:20] the mega-hospital right now in my opinion

[2:09:21] my opinion because the mega mega-hospital,

[2:09:23] mega-hospital, we are doing really

[2:09:24] really well, I believe in saving

[2:09:25] money for that

[2:09:25] money for that but ems, supporting

[2:09:29] supporting ems is urgent.

[2:09:31] the mega-hospital, we can't get

[2:09:32] them

[2:09:33] them to come to the table and answer

[2:09:34] answer our questions.

[2:09:34] what is the status of our letter

[2:09:38] on

[2:09:39] on our request to meet with the mega-hospital committee

[2:09:42] mega-hospital committee because we need to really

[2:09:42] we need to really know when are we going to

[2:09:45] we going to see shovels in the ground

[2:09:45] ground.

[2:09:45] the other part or question I have

[2:09:48] have is, do we talk to our mpps

[2:09:52] and

[2:09:53] and what is our plan of communication

[2:09:54] communication with the city of windsor and

[2:09:57] windsor and the mpps?

[2:09:57] with the rise in call volumes

[2:10:00] I don't

[2:10:00] don't want anyone to be blindsided

[2:10:01] blindsided on future requests for funding at

[2:10:02] for funding at the provincial

[2:10:03] level and

[2:10:03] level and also the city of windsor has

[2:10:06] windsor has made it clear that

[2:10:06] they want

[2:10:07] they want to come in at a 0% increase

[2:10:09] increase and I don't know how that is going to

[2:10:10] that is going to impact us.

[2:10:10] I know that we just send them

[2:10:14] a bill but we really

[2:10:14] bill but we really need to have

[2:10:15] all

[2:10:16] all of these parties at the table

[2:10:16] table when we are talking about ems because health care is

[2:10:18] ems because health care is so important

[2:10:18] important.

[2:10:18] my question is, what is the plan

[2:10:24] to

[2:10:24] to talk to the local mpps about

[2:10:25] the rising calls

[2:10:25] the rising calls?

[2:10:25] >> for you, warden, we meet regularly with

[2:10:34] regularly with our mpps particularly

[2:10:34] particularly around innovative

[2:10:38] opportunities

[2:10:38] opportunities relatively cost

[2:10:39] neutral to improve response Times

[2:10:39] times.

[2:10:39] again in my budget presentation

[2:10:42] , talking

[2:10:45] talking about getting innovative

[2:10:46] and

[2:10:46] and not throwing resources that

[2:10:47] something that is not working

[2:10:47] the

[2:10:47] the best so they are well informed

[2:10:51] informed on what the rising call is, we

[2:10:52] is, we have a delegation requesting

[2:10:56] requesting and we are connected with

[2:10:56] with them.

[2:10:56] >> I would like to support more

[2:11:03] training and I

[2:11:04] training and I would like to support the community programs Coordinator

[2:11:06] training and I would like to support the community programs Coordinator

[2:11:06] coordinator at the very least and

[2:11:09] and if there was something else

[2:11:09] that was high-priority

[2:11:09] that was high-priority in the

[2:11:12] ems I

[2:11:12] ems I would like our chief to bring it

[2:11:13] bring it forward.

[2:11:14] we have the bare-bones option in

[2:11:16] front of us and

[2:11:17] front of us and then we can look

[2:11:18] at the coordinator,

[2:11:18] at the coordinator, extra training and if there

[2:11:20] training and if there is anything else that is urgent

[2:11:20] anything else that is urgent or if

[2:11:21] if something isn't passed tonight, if something has

[2:11:25] tonight, if something has to come to

[2:11:25] come to us they'd year to look at again

[2:11:28] at again I totally support that

[2:11:29] .

[2:11:29] since I have been on county counsel I feel we have

[2:11:32] counsel I feel we have truly made notable

[2:11:36] made notable gains in the reduction

[2:11:37] reduction of code red and black and I want

[2:11:38] and I want to keep going in that

[2:11:38] direction

[2:11:40] direction, I do not want to let

[2:11:41] our foot

[2:11:42] our foot off the pedal.

[2:11:42] if we went to the greater community and

[2:11:43] community and said we're going to

[2:11:44] to have a 1% levy increase just for ems

[2:11:48] for ems alone and they knew that that

[2:11:50] that was directly going to help

[2:11:52] code red

[2:11:53] code red and cold black and help

[2:11:55] with

[2:11:55] with staff retention for ems,

[2:11:57] I I think

[2:11:57] I think the community would support

[2:11:58] support that so I think we need to

[2:11:59] to figure out how we can further support our ems

[2:12:01] support our ems, our chief and

[2:12:04] not

[2:12:04] not just at the bare-bones level

[2:12:04] level. Thank you

[2:12:04] thank you.

[2:12:04] >> 3u, warden, if I can, we are coming

[2:12:11] coming up to collective bargaining

[2:12:12] bargaining in 2026 and we need to

[2:12:14] to be mindful of that and I want

[2:12:14] to put that out there

[2:12:15] to put that out there.

[2:12:15] thank you. >> anyone else

[2:12:20] >> anyone else?

[2:12:20] councillor rogers. >> thank you, madam

[2:12:24] >> thank you, madam warden.

[2:12:26] to echo a few things going. I have

[2:12:29] I have seen this progression the last year

[2:12:31] last year or two and I think this council

[2:12:36] this council has made significant investments in

[2:12:37] significant investments in ems

[2:12:37] .

[2:12:37] I look at this budget alone and we have

[2:12:39] we have seven replacement vehicles

[2:12:41] vehicles, two brand-new vehicles

[2:12:46] vehicles.

[2:12:46] increase in the staff experience

[2:12:47] experience, code red

[2:12:48] experience, code red, code black go

[2:12:49] go down, wait times go down, we

[2:12:53] are making tremendous strides,

[2:12:53] tremendous strides

[2:12:54] tremendous strides and I can support

[2:12:57] support the additional training

[2:12:59] hours,

[2:13:00] hours, happy to add that and happy

[2:13:01] happy to support that, I think

[2:13:03] beyond

[2:13:03] beyond that, I want to be mindful

[2:13:05] mindful of the budget that we

[2:13:07] have

[2:13:07] have and the restrictions that we

[2:13:08] we have because again at the end

[2:13:10] of the day, we have

[2:13:10] of the day, we have made significant investments

[2:13:10] significant investments in our ems and we

[2:13:14] ems and we are making significant

[2:13:14] significant strides but the end

[2:13:17] of the day

[2:13:17] of the day, a budget that was

[2:13:18] proposed

[2:13:18] proposed for us to be able to hit

[2:13:19] hit our strategic priorities and

[2:13:22] be able

[2:13:23] be able to continue to hit our service

[2:13:23] service levels and continue to move

[2:13:26] move forward with our momentum,

[2:13:26] I don't

[2:13:26] I don't think any budget would be

[2:13:30] be put forward for us to take

[2:13:31] steps

[2:13:31] steps back and again I appreciate

[2:13:33] appreciate your comment over the collective

[2:13:34] collective bargaining because

[2:13:34] again

[2:13:34] again it's not so much about this

[2:13:36] this year but about the stuff

[2:13:36] in the

[2:13:36] the future so I encourage this

[2:13:39] council

[2:13:40] council, we have to be mindful,

[2:13:40] it's not an open

[2:13:40] it's not an open pit. We can't

[2:13:43] we can't continue to fund what

[2:13:44] we would love

[2:13:44] we would love to, I would love to be

[2:13:45] to be able to pick at the local

[2:13:47] level,

[2:13:48] level, one artist things is saying

[2:13:49] saying no to the fire department but

[2:13:50] but there are times where you have

[2:13:52] have to trust in your team and

[2:13:53] the leadership.

[2:13:54] the leadership.

[2:13:54] what do you need for this year for us to

[2:13:55] for us to carry the momentum and

[2:13:57] I'm

[2:13:58] I'm happy to support the additional

[2:13:59] additional training hours but

[2:14:00] my vote

[2:14:00] vote will stop at that point. Thank you

[2:14:01] thank you.

[2:14:01] >> thank you.

[2:14:04] anyone else?

[2:14:04] >> two questions for the chief

[2:14:09] , the

[2:14:12] the average age of our fleet is

[2:14:12] now what

[2:14:12] now what?

[2:14:12] >> we are on a 60 replacement cycles

[2:14:17] cycles so it moves along every year

[2:14:20] year. We

[2:14:20] we don't keep them longer than six years

[2:14:24] six years.

[2:14:24] we bought some six years ago and are buying

[2:14:25] are buying some this year so it's a blend

[2:14:26] it's a blend.

[2:14:26] >> and of course we anticipate

[2:14:32] just looking

[2:14:32] just looking at inflation and industrial costs

[2:14:38] industrial costs, the prices that

[2:14:39] that we did pay before.

[2:14:40] when you brought them forth earlier

[2:14:42] earlier, will most likely be increased as

[2:14:43] increased as well. Is that something

[2:14:45] is that something you are anticipating

[2:14:45] anticipating?

[2:14:45] >> yes. Everything is seeing inflation

[2:14:49] everything is seeing inflation

[2:14:49] - inflation-related

[2:14:49] inflation-related changes.

[2:14:50] >> with the discussions we've had

[2:14:55] had about dispatching. Do you see that

[2:14:56] do you see that moving forward?

[2:14:58] and do you see any substantive changes

[2:15:00] changes that can be saved to your budget

[2:15:02] your budget if the dispatching proposals

[2:15:03] proposals that we've disgust and

[2:15:06] some of the

[2:15:06] some of the ideas you put forth in

[2:15:06] in this chamber forward?

[2:15:09] >> we are seeing some movement

[2:15:13] on the provincial

[2:15:13] on the provincial lens for dispatch. Again we

[2:15:13] again we are getting into pds talking

[2:15:17] talking to the counterparts across the province it

[2:15:19] across the province it makes a big difference in

[2:15:20] big difference in terms of ambience availability

[2:15:20] ambience availability, we are not over

[2:15:22] not over prioritizing as much in

[2:15:22] getting

[2:15:23] getting more of an even cadence

[2:15:25] of dispatching

[2:15:26] of dispatching. I

[2:15:26] I do see that helping, I am hearing

[2:15:31] hearing signals that alternate

[2:15:32] models

[2:15:32] models of care within the medication centre

[2:15:33] medication centre are being looked

[2:15:33] looked at and in terms of those

[2:15:36] operating and

[2:15:37] operating and providing oversight

[2:15:41] oversight to the communication

[2:15:41] centre

[2:15:42] centre, we continue to talk about

[2:15:42] about that.

[2:15:43] I am not 100% convinced that that

[2:15:46] that will be anything palpable but

[2:15:47] but I do see the ministry is listening and

[2:15:50] listening and we are starting

[2:15:51] to see

[2:15:52] see some changes so if we can

[2:15:53] get

[2:15:53] get smarter and how we dispatch, we definitely can

[2:15:54] we definitely can send a tahoe

[2:15:57] instead

[2:15:57] instead of an ambulance with two paramedics

[2:15:58] paramedics.

[2:15:58] alternate model care opportunities

[2:16:01] opportunities in all of the stuff the

[2:16:02] stuff the team behind me is looking at.

[2:16:03] stuff the team behind me is looking at.

[2:16:03] the master plan gave a high level

[2:16:06] level of ceiling on what was needed

[2:16:08] needed.

[2:16:08] I don't think we need all of that

[2:16:09] that. I'll be honest.

[2:16:09] I appreciate the comments about the

[2:16:13] the bigger picture here.

[2:16:17] we will continue pushing ahead

[2:16:18] as a service

[2:16:18] as a service and doing everything

[2:16:19] everything we can and being as responsible

[2:16:19] responsible as we can. It does

[2:16:21] it does not mean that we needed

[2:16:24] all.

[2:16:24] I would rather have a little bit

[2:16:26] bit, put it

[2:16:26] bit, put it in and see how it goes and adjust again

[2:16:27] goes and adjust again.

[2:16:27] no significantly big changes. The

[2:16:32] the issue we do have is I am losing space to

[2:16:33] losing space to put these vehicles

[2:16:35] vehicles.

[2:16:35] two more are coming in and they

[2:16:37] are supposed to

[2:16:37] are supposed to go and I do not have the room to put

[2:16:40] have the room to put those in there

[2:16:40] there so we have to figure all

[2:16:44] of that out

[2:16:44] of that out and where these trucks

[2:16:45] trucks will go, that is part of the bigger picture

[2:16:46] the bigger picture.

[2:16:46] >> thank you, madam warden. >>

[2:16:50] >> thank you.

[2:16:50] councillor prue. >>

[2:16:54] >> a question, it seems like there's a sufficient appetite

[2:16:57] there's a sufficient appetite

[2:16:57] here to add a

[2:16:57] here to add a couple of things in

[2:16:59] in here that are going to be expensive

[2:17:01] expensive. I did hear

[2:17:01] I did hear one comment about the hospital and how

[2:17:03] hospital and how much we are funding

[2:17:07] funding which I think is excessive

[2:17:08] excessive.

[2:17:08] could it be possible that if any motions

[2:17:11] motions are made that they be

[2:17:11] contingent on

[2:17:11] contingent on finding the dollars from

[2:17:14] dollars from other sources whether it be the hospital

[2:17:18] whether it be the hospital or something else

[2:17:19] something else?

[2:17:19] I am reluctant to vote simply for

[2:17:21] for it and to raise the levy.

[2:17:24] I want to put that up front. If you can

[2:17:28] if you can find some money somewhere

[2:17:28] somewhere else in the hospital

[2:17:32] seems like a logical

[2:17:32] seems like a logical one to many many, a couple hundred

[2:17:34] many, a couple hundred, 300, off

[2:17:36] of that

[2:17:37] of that to fund the ems, I would certainly support

[2:17:44] certainly support it.

[2:17:44] if you can't, I have to say that I

[2:17:47] I would be reluctant to raise the rate

[2:17:49] the rate above 2.65.

[2:17:53] >> duly noted.

[2:17:54] did you want to speak to that suggestion

[2:18:01] suggestion?

[2:18:01] >> if I could, please. I

[2:18:03] I agree with councillor prue.

[2:18:07] if my colleagues would be willing to

[2:18:09] willing to approve each of these items as

[2:18:10] items as we go through it and

[2:18:11] save

[2:18:11] save -- or receive and approve

[2:18:14] at the end so we

[2:18:14] at the end so we can go through.

[2:18:16] there are 26 items on this list

[2:18:19] and I think

[2:18:19] and I think it would be very unfair

[2:18:21] unfair to other departments if we

[2:18:22] we started approving these items

[2:18:24] now without

[2:18:24] now without going and hearing

[2:18:26] the

[2:18:26] the full presentation from everyone.

[2:18:27] the full presentation from everyone.

[2:18:27] I think we can ask the questions now and

[2:18:28] now and if we can make a list

[2:18:30] of the items that

[2:18:30] the items that we want to discuss

[2:18:32] discuss at the end that maybe we could

[2:18:33] could find ways to adjust it,

[2:18:37] whether it's coming from another Thing

[2:18:37] thing like the hospital but some of these items

[2:18:41] of these items are one time funded

[2:18:42] funded capital items in some of these

[2:18:43] these items are operating continuation

[2:18:45] continuation and I would love

[2:18:46] if we

[2:18:47] we could have a discussion at the end

[2:18:48] the end that would see us discuss those

[2:18:50] discuss those 26 items instead

[2:18:51] of trying to

[2:18:51] of trying to piecemeal it together

[2:18:52] together through the budget session if my fellow councillors

[2:18:55] session if my fellow councillors

[2:18:55] would agree to

[2:18:55] would agree to that.

[2:18:56] >> I just checked with the clerk

[2:19:15] clerk,

[2:19:15] clerk, that can be a resolution

[2:19:17] that is made and

[2:19:17] that is made and council will vote on

[2:19:17] vote on that so let me go to councillor verbeke

[2:19:24] councillor verbeke and then we

[2:19:25] will open the

[2:19:25] will open the floor.

[2:19:26] I was looking because of the comments

[2:19:28] comments made, I was looking at bringing

[2:19:30] bringing up individual ones that were

[2:19:32] were mentioned such as the additional

[2:19:32] additional training hours as separate

[2:19:33] separate.

[2:19:33] as separate motions as well as the coordinator as

[2:19:39] the coordinator as a separate

[2:19:41] motion

[2:19:41] motion and then the motion to

[2:19:43] receive

[2:19:43] receive but if you want to add,

[2:19:45] we will come

[2:19:45] we will come to you but it has to be

[2:19:48] to be a decision of council.

[2:19:49] if they want to receive and approve

[2:19:55] approve or just receive at this point in time

[2:19:55] point in time.

[2:19:55] are you good with that?

[2:19:57] okay, thank you.

[2:19:59] councillor verbeke. >> thank you.

[2:20:03] councillor verbeke. >> thank you.

[2:20:03] great report.

[2:20:03] I will go to melissa now. The business

[2:20:06] the business case, is that all

[2:20:10] included in

[2:20:10] included in this 2.65 of the budget

[2:20:15] budget?

[2:20:15] >> no. These are items

[2:20:16] these are items that administratively

[2:20:16] administratively we put on that

[2:20:19] list

[2:20:19] list and did not include them in the

[2:20:20] the proposed budget but allowing council to bring

[2:20:23] council to bring it back in.

[2:20:23] >> I see this as more of a needs

[2:20:26] list

[2:20:28] list than a want list so I think we should

[2:20:31] we should get them all if you've

[2:20:33] had

[2:20:34] had any dealings with ems, if the

[2:20:38] the mechanic is gone, we can't fix

[2:20:38] fix it and I believe that all of these

[2:20:41] these positions should be filled filled.

[2:20:42] these positions should be filled filled.

[2:20:42] I don't care where you get the

[2:20:42] money

[2:20:42] money from but it has to be filled

[2:20:46] filled.

[2:20:46] >> councillor gibb. >>

[2:20:53] >> one more clarifying question

[2:20:53] , when we look

[2:20:53] when we look at these numbers,

[2:20:55] the

[2:20:57] the estimated cost for the community program

[2:20:58] community program coordinate her at

[2:20:58] at 121467 and the additional training hours,

[2:21:04] training hours, 19935, are those

[2:21:06] numbers

[2:21:07] numbers half of the cost or is that

[2:21:11] that the full cost but the levy

[2:21:12] will be

[2:21:14] will be charged back if I can use

[2:21:15] use that term, by the city?

[2:21:17] >> yes, the list does include the

[2:21:21] the total cost of that asked,

[2:21:26] however, in

[2:21:26] however, in ems we always they

[2:21:27] know

[2:21:27] know their funding formula is a little difference

[2:21:29] little difference over the first year it would be

[2:21:30] year it would be 50% of that cost

[2:21:30] cost, for the coordinate her position it

[2:21:34] position it will be about 65,504 the

[2:21:36] the training dollars it would about

[2:21:37] about $100,000, levy dollars.

[2:21:38] >> further to that, doesn't the provincial

[2:21:45] provincial funding then come in

[2:21:45] afterwards

[2:21:45] afterwards.

[2:21:45] >> through you, warden, it would come in

[2:21:50] come in but not until 2027 so how

[2:21:52] how we budget is to incorporate that

[2:21:53] that in the first year so that we

[2:21:54] we cover ourselves.

[2:21:54] >> just a question, in terms of the

[2:22:05] the positions, I know you gave a lot of thought

[2:22:08] lot of thought to coordinating and explaining

[2:22:08] and explaining the key responsibilities

[2:22:11] responsibilities but I'm wondering if there was any

[2:22:12] wondering if there was any opportunity to

[2:22:12] opportunity to look at sharing

[2:22:14] , additional training

[2:22:16] additional training hours, are you able to

[2:22:19] you able to talk to chatham-kent and coordinate

[2:22:22] and coordinate training and facilitate that that is

[2:22:25] facilitate that that is mandatory

[2:22:25] mandatory or whatnot or through st. Clair college

[2:22:30] st. Clair college and partnering with them

[2:22:30] with them and having an individual

[2:22:31] individual and I don't know if that

[2:22:34] that is even possible but they

[2:22:35] are a great partner

[2:22:36] are a great partner with ems in terms

[2:22:37] terms of that education component

[2:22:38] component but I too agree that

[2:22:41] we should

[2:22:42] we should look at these positions, obviously

[2:22:43] positions, obviously they are

[2:22:44] here for a reason and

[2:22:44] here for a reason and the need is

[2:22:44] is there.

[2:22:45] but looking at the budget overview in

[2:22:50] overview in terms of ranked positions,

[2:22:52] positions, I kind of agree with

[2:22:54] councilllor meloche in

[2:22:57] councilllor meloche in terms of waiting until

[2:22:58] waiting until the end and coming

[2:22:59] back and seeing what

[2:23:00] back and seeing what impact it has on the

[2:23:00] has on the overall budget versus doing them now

[2:23:02] doing them now one by one so I

[2:23:04] do like

[2:23:05] do like to keep an open mind on these positions but

[2:23:06] these positions but just a question

[2:23:07] question if there is any ability if we

[2:23:10] if we only choose 2 and there

[2:23:12] are

[2:23:12] are five not chosen, are you able

[2:23:14] able to somehow still be able

[2:23:14] to offer

[2:23:16] offer -- the purpose is relevant

[2:23:18] and I don't want

[2:23:20] and I don't want us to not see it

[2:23:20] it happen that is there any way that

[2:23:23] that through partnerships you

[2:23:26] could probably

[2:23:26] could probably arrange some of those

[2:23:28] those responsibilities in a different

[2:23:29] different format?

[2:23:29] >> through you, warden, the training hours, to be

[2:23:35] training hours, to be clear is

[2:23:37] the wage

[2:23:38] the wage is required to get to pay

[2:23:39] pay the employee to take the training.

[2:23:41] pay the employee to take the training.

[2:23:41] the majority of our staff are front line paramedics

[2:23:42] front line paramedics and they

[2:23:44] are on the

[2:23:45] are on the road and it's difficult

[2:23:46] difficult to pull them off the

[2:23:47] road

[2:23:47] road to do training obviously

[2:23:48] based on

[2:23:48] based on their environment so they are doing

[2:23:49] they are doing it on their days off

[2:23:50] off so to coordinate with systems

[2:23:55] systems partners, chatham-kent

[2:23:56] , st. Clair, we have

[2:23:57] st. Clair, we have great relationships

[2:23:57] relationships with all of them and sometimes

[2:23:58] and sometimes we can save on the cost

[2:23:58] cost of getting someone to deliver content

[2:24:02] deliver content but having someone sit

[2:24:03] someone sit through that content is where the

[2:24:03] is where the expense comes in.

[2:24:04]

[2:24:04] the rest of the positions, it

[2:24:11] would be

[2:24:11] would be difficult for the commander

[2:24:12] commander of operations, communications

[2:24:13] communications officer, all it is

[2:24:13] is doing is continuing to stress the system that

[2:24:16] the system that is already there

[2:24:18] and not able to

[2:24:20] and not able to help support the

[2:24:20] capacity

[2:24:20] capacity of those positions. >> thank you

[2:24:22] >> thank you.

[2:24:22] >> anyone else?

[2:24:26] okay.

[2:24:26] we are going to figure out how to do this individually

[2:24:32] to do this individually since there seems to be

[2:24:32] there seems to be -- councillor deyong,

[2:24:35] deyong, comment?

[2:24:36] >> I will throw my two cents in, I

[2:24:38] I would like to make a motion that we

[2:24:39] that we receive and then discuss all

[2:24:40] all of these things at the end

[2:24:42] when we've had

[2:24:42] when we've had a chance to digest the rest

[2:24:42] digest the rest of the budget.

[2:24:44] >> comment

[2:24:46] >> comment first then?

[2:24:47] a comment or no?

[2:24:48] >> that is my comment. That

[2:24:54] that I'm supportive of us receiving this

[2:24:57] receiving this for now. >> you

[2:24:58] >> you are making the motion to receive? >>

[2:24:58] >> sure.

[2:24:58] >> okay.

[2:25:00] councillor deyong is making the

[2:25:05] motion

[2:25:05] motion that the presentation for the

[2:25:08] the proposed 2026 essex-windsor emergency service

[2:25:09] emergency service budget be received

[2:25:10] received and further that the

[2:25:14] 2026 budget

[2:25:14] 2026 budget estimates for essex-windsor

[2:25:15] essex-windsor emergency medical services be

[2:25:15] services be received.

[2:25:15] that is moved by councillor deyong. Looking

[2:25:20] that is moved by councillor deyong. Looking

[2:25:20] looking for a seconder.

[2:25:20] councilllor meloche.

[2:25:22] we will wait for that to get on the

[2:25:30] the board and then we will be voting

[2:25:32] voting electronically, please.

[2:25:33] councillor gibb.

[2:25:37] sorry, I did not open the floor

[2:25:40] to

[2:25:40] to questions. >> that

[2:25:41] >> that is all right.

[2:25:41] I will push my way onto the floor

[2:25:42] floor.

[2:25:42] just so that I can understand

[2:25:47] this

[2:25:47] this correctly, we will receive and

[2:25:48] and then when we get to the end

[2:25:50] of the day

[2:25:50] of the day, at 9:30 tonight or hopefully earlier

[2:25:54] hopefully earlier.

[2:25:54] come on. A

[2:25:57] a little levity.

[2:25:57] then we will discuss the individual items,

[2:26:01] individual items, correct?

[2:26:01] >> that is how I am understanding it

[2:26:08] understanding it so that is what I

[2:26:09] I believe an imc knots from the mover and the

[2:26:10] mover and the seconder.

[2:26:10] I had someone else's hand up. >>

[2:26:15] >> I will get there.

[2:26:16] I thought there was still someone

[2:26:17] someone here who I had seen first.

[2:26:19] someone here who I had seen first.

[2:26:19] councillor bailey, you are up.

[2:26:22] >>

[2:26:22] >> thank you, warden, I think

[2:26:24] that you had

[2:26:24] that you had it right in the first place because

[2:26:26] first place because we have the opportunity

[2:26:26] opportunity right now to receive

[2:26:28] and

[2:26:29] and approve what is before us

[2:26:31] in the budget

[2:26:31] the budget that has been requested

[2:26:32] requested and there is nothing stopping us later for

[2:26:33] stopping us later for making a

[2:26:33] motion and adding

[2:26:35] motion and adding in I would like to make

[2:26:37] like to make a motion to add in

[2:26:38] item

[2:26:39] item number blah, blah, blah for

[2:26:40] position

[2:26:41] position whatever and for us to

[2:26:43] prove that

[2:26:43] prove that so I think to continue

[2:26:45] continue with the momentum of our budget

[2:26:46] our budget I would prefer to do it the

[2:26:47] it the way that you stated in

[2:26:50] that we have

[2:26:50] that we have already moved through,

[2:26:51] through, we have approved our sections,

[2:26:52] sections, we will come back to

[2:26:53] the wish list

[2:26:54] the wish list at the end but recognizing

[2:26:57] recognizing that there are 26 positions on

[2:26:59] positions on there, they represent

[2:26:59] represent 4% on the budget, certainly anybody

[2:27:03] certainly anybody could move those

[2:27:03] those items forward should they

[2:27:04] want

[2:27:04] want to but in the meantime we

[2:27:06] have a

[2:27:07] have a budget presented and vetted

[2:27:08] vetted by administration that I

[2:27:09] would really

[2:27:09] would really like to see get received,

[2:27:10] received, approved and we can

[2:27:11] come

[2:27:11] come back and make new motions for other

[2:27:12] for other wish list items as the day

[2:27:14] day unfolds.

[2:27:15] >> councillor deyong. >> thank you

[2:27:21] >> thank you. Looking

[2:27:21] looking for clarity.

[2:27:22] I have no problems with what councillor bailey

[2:27:23] councillor bailey just said but

[2:27:26] if

[2:27:27] if we are approving the ems budget

[2:27:28] budget then we don't need a motion to reconsider

[2:27:29] motion to reconsider to open up

[2:27:31] the

[2:27:31] the ems budget to add something

[2:27:32] to the

[2:27:33] to the ems budget. I'm

[2:27:33] I'm looking for clarity from administration, thank you

[2:27:34] administration, thank you.

[2:27:34] >> madam clerk, I am looking to you. >> that

[2:27:43] >> madam clerk, I am looking to you. >> that

[2:27:43] >> that is correct. He would

[2:27:43] he would not need a motion to

[2:27:46] add

[2:27:46] add a supplementary item to the

[2:27:47] already approved

[2:27:47] already approved budget for a

[2:27:51] particular department so if Council

[2:27:51] council wishes to approve the

[2:27:55] budget for ems as

[2:27:55] budget for ems as it's written

[2:27:55] right

[2:27:56] right now at this interval and

[2:27:59] then revisit additional

[2:28:00] then revisit additional supplementary

[2:28:00] supplementary items for this department and/or

[2:28:03] department and/or other departments

[2:28:03] departments before the final budget approval is done

[2:28:04] budget approval is done later

[2:28:06] today

[2:28:06] today, that is also fine.

[2:28:06] >> a councillor deyong. >>

[2:28:11] >> I have no problem with that

[2:28:12] .

[2:28:12] I am fine to improve this and discuss

[2:28:13] discuss this. >> you are changing

[2:28:16] >> you are changing your motion to

[2:28:16] to receive and approve?

[2:28:20] I am looking to the secondary.

[2:28:25] okay, that changes the motion to be received and

[2:28:26] be received and approved.

[2:28:26] and we are looking to vote electronically

[2:28:38] electronically.

[2:28:38] and that is carried, thank you

[2:28:57] . Thank you, chief

[2:28:59] thank you, chief.

[2:28:59] next up, we have budget for infrastructure and

[2:29:05] infrastructure and planning.

[2:29:05] pause for one moment. We are debating

[2:29:15] we are debating lunch.

[2:29:15] >> what a lovely debate.

[2:29:18] lunch lost so we are going to

[2:29:37] go on to infrastructure

[2:29:37] on to infrastructure and planning

[2:29:37] planning services and for that

[2:29:39] we have

[2:29:39] we have our director of infrastructure and

[2:29:39] infrastructure and planning services

[2:29:41] services as well as rebecca, our manager

[2:29:45] manager planning services to present

[2:29:46] present the 2026 budget.

[2:29:46] over to you.

[2:29:48] for their department.

[2:29:48] >> thank you, warden and council

[2:30:06] council.

[2:30:06] too many laptops appear at the moment

[2:30:09] moment.

[2:30:09] thank you.

[2:30:20] the infrastructure and planning services department

[2:30:21] services department plays a vital

[2:30:21] vital role in shaping and supporting

[2:30:26] supporting our communities as committed

[2:30:26] committed to maintaining and enhancing the county

[2:30:29] enhancing the county infrastructure

[2:30:29] infrastructure and the built environment

[2:30:30] environment.

[2:30:30] we do this by building reliable infrastructure

[2:30:36] infrastructure, developing and applying responsible

[2:30:36] applying responsible planning

[2:30:38] policy

[2:30:38] policy and effective asset management

[2:30:39] management.

[2:30:39] my team knows and understands

[2:30:46] the goals and directions

[2:30:46] the goals and directions of the

[2:30:46] county

[2:30:47] county. They understand

[2:30:49] they understand the contributions they make

[2:30:49] contributions they make as individuals

[2:30:49] individuals and they know and understand

[2:30:51] understand how their efforts contribute to the

[2:30:54] contribute to the overall success of

[2:30:54] success of our department, the the county,

[2:30:58] the county, our residence and

[2:30:59] our businesses

[2:30:59] our businesses and I am very proud of each

[2:31:00] proud of each and every one of them

[2:31:00] them.

[2:31:00] it is not easy, my management

[2:31:06] team faces challenges almost

[2:31:06] team faces challenges almost every day.

[2:31:07] team faces challenges almost every day.

[2:31:07] rising service-level expectations,

[2:31:09] expectations, development pressures

[2:31:11] pressures, escalating construction costs,

[2:31:13] construction costs, funding gaps

[2:31:14] gaps, complexities

[2:31:17] gaps, complexities for the competition

[2:31:18] competition of our road allowances

[2:31:19] allowances, for things like safety

[2:31:19] safety, access, active transportation

[2:31:24] transportation, utilities and the ever

[2:31:24] the ever moving targets of falling from

[2:31:26] falling from new or modified provincial legislation

[2:31:27] provincial legislation.

[2:31:27] while we look forward to the future

[2:31:31] future, these systems have to

[2:31:33] work

[2:31:33] work today and these hard assets

[2:31:38] are deteriorating around us

[2:31:38] are deteriorating around us every day.

[2:31:40] are deteriorating around us every day.

[2:31:40] but I have to say that we love it, we

[2:31:42] it, we love what we do and we look

[2:31:44] look forward to next year and

[2:31:47] I am

[2:31:47] am here to present the proposed ips budget for

[2:31:49] ips budget for 2026.

[2:31:51] while the total departmental budget

[2:31:55] budget presented is just over

[2:32:00] $138 million, the following Recoveries and

[2:32:00] recoveries and contributions from

[2:32:00] from our reserves, than that departmental asked for

[2:32:03] departmental asked for 2026 is just over

[2:32:05] just over $54 million, approximately

[2:32:09] approximately $1.8 million over

[2:32:10] 2025.

[2:32:11] 2025.

[2:32:11] 1.25 million of that is our recommendation to

[2:32:16] recommendation to increment the

[2:32:16] expansion

[2:32:16] expansion program.

[2:32:17] the base contribution this year

[2:32:19] .

[2:32:19] several other items remain off

[2:32:25] this version of the

[2:32:25] this version of the budget, and

[2:32:28] melissa spoke

[2:32:29] melissa spoke to these in appendix

[2:32:30] appendix three of her treasurers

[2:32:31] report

[2:32:32] report nine happy to talk about

[2:32:32] these

[2:32:32] these further after my presentation

[2:32:34] presentation.

[2:32:34] things like traffic signals at the intersection

[2:32:40] the intersection of county road

[2:32:42] 20 and 23,

[2:32:42] 20 and 23, road supervisor position,

[2:32:46] position, traffic signals on on county

[2:32:46] on county road 20 and martin lane in

[2:32:47] lane in la salle, generator study for

[2:32:50] study for the administration building

[2:32:51] building.

[2:32:51] the amenity study, some additional sidewalk around

[2:32:57] additional sidewalk around our building

[2:32:58] building and a maintenance one position.

[2:33:02] building and a maintenance one position.

[2:33:02] this slide breaks down the net department

[2:33:05] department of proposed budget

[2:33:08] by my major service

[2:33:08] my major service groups. Construction and engineering

[2:33:10] construction and engineering, maintenance operations

[2:33:12] maintenance operations, facility operations

[2:33:15] operations, cleaning services and fleet and

[2:33:18] and fleet and facilities.

[2:33:18] the net construction and engineering

[2:33:23] engineering budget has an increase of just over

[2:33:25] increase of just over $1.4 million and again

[2:33:26] $1.4 million and again, the majority

[2:33:30] majority of that increment is the

[2:33:31] the $1.25 million we are recommending

[2:33:35] recommending toward the increase to

[2:33:35] to the expansion program faced

[2:33:36] budget

[2:33:37] budget or base contribution.

[2:33:38] are construction engineering group

[2:33:44] group looks after much of our core

[2:33:45] core assets and active transportation facilities

[2:33:47] transportation facilities.

[2:33:47] the state of good repair program and by the

[2:33:52] and by the way thank you to council and the council Preapproval

[2:33:53] and by the way thank you to council and the council Preapproval

[2:33:53] preapproval to the big creek bridge project

[2:33:58] bridge project, they are currently out

[2:34:00] currently out for tender and we

[2:34:01] are expecting an early start

[2:34:02] are expecting an early start in the new year

[2:34:02] the new year.

[2:34:02] in this group, we have our program and

[2:34:11] program and we are planning for the

[2:34:14] the future, construction, traffic management

[2:34:16] traffic management, and safety

[2:34:17] of

[2:34:17] of our road corridors.

[2:34:17] and several projects are done

[2:34:21] in this

[2:34:22] this budget in cooperation with

[2:34:23] our local

[2:34:23] our local municipal partners,

[2:34:24] things like working on

[2:34:24] things like working on or connecting

[2:34:24] connecting links, a shared ea's

[2:34:29] and

[2:34:30] and studies and leveraging our paving

[2:34:30] paving contracts.

[2:34:30] all of this being mindful of accessibility

[2:34:33] accessibility.

[2:34:33] of note, in 2026, we continue with our road

[2:34:42] with our road rationalization

[2:34:44] project

[2:34:44] project designing construction

[2:34:47] of the stormwater

[2:34:48] of the stormwater management solution for county

[2:34:48] solution for county road 19 and

[2:34:50] the 22 intersection

[2:34:51] the 22 intersection.

[2:34:51] county road 42, 43, phase 4.

[2:34:56] I already mentioned the culvert and the

[2:34:59] and the big creek bridge and we have a

[2:35:01] have a number of other bridging

[2:35:04] projects

[2:35:04] projects that are either in the design

[2:35:05] design or construction phase.

[2:35:07] we have our paved shoulder program

[2:35:11] program and that will continue

[2:35:13] on

[2:35:13] on county road three, eight, nine and

[2:35:14] nine and 31.

[2:35:16] and on this side we have put together

[2:35:20] together some figures to answer 2 frequently

[2:35:24] 2 frequently answered questions

[2:35:25] . What

[2:35:25] what is the approximate cost to maintain

[2:35:26] maintain a highway?

[2:35:26] we are averaging just over $5700 per

[2:35:31] per lane kilometre over ten years

[2:35:33] years but this year in 2025, we

[2:35:36] hit

[2:35:37] hit just over $7500 per lane kilometre

[2:35:38] kilometre.

[2:35:38] and what's the approximate cost to rehabilitate

[2:35:44] to rehabilitate or pave word do an

[2:35:47] an operation on a highway? The average cost

[2:35:49] the average cost over ten years

[2:35:51] is about

[2:35:52] is about $94,000 per lane kilometre

[2:35:55] kilometre but in 2025 and this speaks

[2:35:57] speaks to the ever escalating cost

[2:35:57] cost of construction.

[2:35:57] in 2025, we saw $170,000 per lane kilometre

[2:36:03] lane kilometre.

[2:36:03] our maintenance operation group

[2:36:15] was presenting

[2:36:16] was presenting a not budget for

[2:36:17] 2026 of just over

[2:36:17] 2026 of just over $10 million. Approximately

[2:36:21] approximately 550 is covering things like

[2:36:24] things like wage increases, increases

[2:36:26] increases to our management budget

[2:36:29] budget, some additional dollars for

[2:36:32] for asset management particularly in

[2:36:32] particularly in the drainage asset

[2:36:34] asset department.

[2:36:35] our maintenance operations group

[2:36:41] also known as

[2:36:41] also known as roads provides maintenance to our existing

[2:36:44] maintenance to our existing road

[2:36:44] network

[2:36:46] network for summer maintenance,

[2:36:47] winter

[2:36:47] winter control and traffic signal maintenance

[2:36:50] signal maintenance our facility operations

[2:36:57] operations group, a budget request

[2:37:00] request in 2026 for just over

[2:37:03] $860,000.

[2:37:03] facility's operation as a team that

[2:37:09] that manages the county of essex administration building and

[2:37:11] administration building and also provide

[2:37:11] provide some services to other facilities

[2:37:14] facilities as needed.

[2:37:17] this department manages several

[2:37:19] of

[2:37:19] of our annual contracts for us in

[2:37:21] in addition to keeping this building

[2:37:22] building and our grounds in good condition

[2:37:23] condition.

[2:37:23] our planning services group has a

[2:37:31] a budget and our planning team is

[2:37:36] is led by our manager rebecca belanger and

[2:37:40] belanger and she is here to speak to the

[2:37:41] speak to the planning budget.

[2:37:41] >> thank you, good morning, gordon

[2:37:57] gordon. As

[2:37:57] as council is aware, my position with the

[2:38:00] with the support of 2 additional

[2:38:01] planners

[2:38:01] planners conducts the work, acting

[2:38:02] acting as the delegated provincial

[2:38:05] provincial planning authority for ensuring that

[2:38:05] for ensuring that all matters

[2:38:07] are addressed

[2:38:07] are addressed and improving local plans and

[2:38:10] local plans and amendments as well as

[2:38:12] well as other planning applications such as

[2:38:13] applications such as plans of tradition

[2:38:16] tradition as an example.

[2:38:17] we presently have over 150 active planning applications

[2:38:20] active planning applications throughout the local

[2:38:20] throughout the local municipality's

[2:38:21] municipality's.

[2:38:21] a large number of these applications

[2:38:25] applications are in the pre preconsultation stage

[2:38:25] preconsultation stage of review

[2:38:27] and

[2:38:29] and county planning has than not taken the

[2:38:30] taken the associated fee.

[2:38:30] this will look as if it's a reduced revenue

[2:38:37] reduced revenue of planning applications

[2:38:38] applications, this is not however reflective

[2:38:40] however reflective of the actual work in

[2:38:40] work in the department.

[2:38:40] now that the county official plan

[2:38:44] plan has received final approval

[2:38:46] by the

[2:38:47] by the province, planning administration

[2:38:48] administration will be advancing

[2:38:50] several

[2:38:50] several strategic planning studies in

[2:38:50] studies in 2026.

[2:38:52] the first of these and the purchased services section Includes

[2:38:55] the first of these and the purchased services section Includes

[2:38:55] includes a specialty study, the intent

[2:38:58] intent of this work is to formally

[2:39:03] formally identify and map these high-priority

[2:39:05] high-priority agriculture areas

[2:39:06] to

[2:39:07] to ensure they are properly considered

[2:39:08] considered win planning applications

[2:39:09] applications come forward as well

[2:39:09] well as new official plans.

[2:39:09] they county strategic plan directs the advancement

[2:39:14] directs the advancement of a regional

[2:39:16] regional climate land strategy.

[2:39:17] the rfp is currently out on bids and tenders

[2:39:21] and tenders and the expectation

[2:39:21] that

[2:39:23] that the consultant will be selected in december

[2:39:24] selected in december.

[2:39:24] this project is planned to run

[2:39:28] through and conclude in june of

[2:39:28] next

[2:39:28] next year with regular reporting to

[2:39:31] to county counsel.

[2:39:31] the planning budget also includes a

[2:39:35] includes a carryover amount for the regional energy plan

[2:39:39] the regional energy plan implementation project

[2:39:39] implementation project.

[2:39:39] this budgeted amount is intended

[2:39:43] to

[2:39:44] to be used for this year to conduct a

[2:39:46] conduct a climate adaptation plan

[2:39:47] plan and in partnership with local municipalities

[2:39:49] local municipalities that are interested

[2:39:49] interested.

[2:39:49] the adaptation plan will create

[2:39:55] an

[2:39:55] an updated greenhouse gas emission

[2:39:58] emission inventory for the county

[2:39:58] county as well as local municipalities

[2:39:58] municipalities enabling us to

[2:40:03] begin monitoring our actions That

[2:40:03] that impact and reduce emissions as well

[2:40:07] as well as other components of the action

[2:40:07] the action plan that will include

[2:40:11] include an assessment of climate related vulnerabilities

[2:40:14] related vulnerabilities, resilient strategies

[2:40:15] resilient strategies and an updated clean

[2:40:15] updated clean energy target.

[2:40:19] purchased services also include the

[2:40:20] the annual contribution to the resilience

[2:40:22] resilience project, in the amount

[2:40:26] amount of $50,000. This contribution

[2:40:28] this contribution from the county and other

[2:40:29] county and other project partners

[2:40:30] partners enable the project to receive

[2:40:33] receive grant funding in the amount

[2:40:35] amount of $1 million.

[2:40:37] this project is in its second year

[2:40:38] year of the three-year work program

[2:40:38] program.

[2:40:38] regarding the natural heritage

[2:40:42] system

[2:40:42] system strategy listed on this

[2:40:46] side, although this initiative Was

[2:40:47] side, although this initiative Was

[2:40:47] was originally planned to advance in

[2:40:50] advance in 2026, through the review

[2:40:53] review and prioritization of other

[2:40:55] other required strategic planning studies

[2:40:56] planning studies, we are looking forward to advancing

[2:40:57] forward to advancing this initiative

[2:40:57] initiative instead in 2027 there for

[2:41:02] for you will know that there is

[2:41:04] no budget allocated for this

[2:41:04] no budget allocated for this initiative

[2:41:04] initiative.

[2:41:04] this concludes my comments, thank you

[2:41:07] thank you.

[2:41:07] >> thank you, rebecca.

[2:41:10] moving on to our fleet and facilities budget

[2:41:15] facilities budget, this is where we track

[2:41:17] we track capital needs for nonlinear

[2:41:21] nonlinear assets, things such

[2:41:22] as equipment for our roads group

[2:41:23] equipment for our roads group,

[2:41:23] trucks

[2:41:23] trucks, ploughs, loaders, equipment

[2:41:27] equipment and building needs for

[2:41:27] our facilities

[2:41:27] our facilities group and any major renovation

[2:41:30] major renovation projects.

[2:41:31] in 2026, we presented a budget

[2:41:39] to effectively

[2:41:40] to effectively replace aging equipment

[2:41:40] equipment, support the county's desired

[2:41:41] desired level of service, renew our facilities

[2:41:43] our facilities, for example, there

[2:41:47] there is a report on the consent

[2:41:47] agenda

[2:41:49] agenda that we have included $2.000000 towards the

[2:41:52] $2.000000 towards the renovation

[2:41:52] for council's consideration

[2:41:54] for council's consideration.

[2:41:54] and lastly, to enhance we have

[2:41:59] items

[2:42:01] items in this budget to provide enhancements

[2:42:03] enhancements to security at our roads depots

[2:42:03] roads depots.

[2:42:03] and this is just a slide that

[2:42:11] shows

[2:42:11] shows some of the work that we

[2:42:12] do,

[2:42:13] do, it gets messy sometimes but it also shows

[2:42:14] it also shows some of our successes

[2:42:16] successes and some of our responses to some of council

[2:42:18] responses to some of council's

[2:42:18] requests

[2:42:19] requests and with that, I will conclude

[2:42:21] conclude and I am available to

[2:42:24] answer

[2:42:24] answer any questions. >> thank you

[2:42:29] >> thank you. I was expecting a

[2:42:29] I was expecting a lot longer.

[2:42:29] opening the floor to comments and

[2:42:33] and questions from council, starting

[2:42:33] starting with you councillor bailey. >>

[2:42:36] starting with you councillor bailey. >>

[2:42:36] >> thank you. Through

[2:42:37] through you, to start up I wanted

[2:42:41] wanted to our own horn here, we

[2:42:43] have done amazing

[2:42:44] have done amazing, amazing work

[2:42:44] when it comes to the

[2:42:45] when it comes to the paved shoulder

[2:42:45] shoulder program and cwats and everything

[2:42:49] everything we've been doing through this

[2:42:51] through this department and I know that

[2:42:51] know that many of those trails

[2:42:53] , I ride

[2:42:56] I ride and I noticed numbers of council

[2:42:58] council have viewed them and I I think

[2:42:59] I think sherry took a ride with

[2:43:00] some of the groups earlier on

[2:43:01] some of the groups earlier on

[2:43:01] in the year

[2:43:01] the year too and we are so close close,

[2:43:05] close, we are 1.8 kilometres away from

[2:43:08] away from bridging the gap for

[2:43:09] 161 kilometres

[2:43:09] 161 kilometres of the seaway,

[2:43:14] 100 which is pretty incredible

[2:43:14] that we have done

[2:43:14] that we have done that as a region

[2:43:16] region so talk about the regional powerhouse for

[2:43:18] regional powerhouse for all of us to

[2:43:18] us to have this system that is

[2:43:21] moving

[2:43:21] moving through all of our communities

[2:43:21] communities so beautifully.

[2:43:23] the 1.8% that is not done is in

[2:43:27] lakeshore

[2:43:29] lakeshore and I know that it's a little

[2:43:31] little late here and there are probably resources and they

[2:43:33] probably resources and they understand

[2:43:33] understand that some of the things have

[2:43:34] things have been funded and somewhere funded

[2:43:37] somewhere funded and some are

[2:43:38] not funded

[2:43:38] not funded so I don't want this

[2:43:40] to

[2:43:40] to happen today but I do want to

[2:43:41] preface

[2:43:42] preface that a notice of motion

[2:43:43] will come

[2:43:44] will come forward at some point to try

[2:43:44] to try to identify the 1.8%. A

[2:43:49] a couple of things in addition to

[2:43:51] to that to note, we have an awesome opportunity

[2:43:52] awesome opportunity to build in resources for

[2:43:55] resources for signage along the seaway

[2:43:59] seaway so that folks know where

[2:44:01] to go in

[2:44:01] to go in our communities where it

[2:44:02] it is comfortable to ride.

[2:44:02] I would like to see a signage program come

[2:44:06] program come forward as well as the

[2:44:07] the removal of signs and areas

[2:44:11] that don't

[2:44:12] that don't make sense within our plant

[2:44:13] plant so they don't have paved

[2:44:15] shoulders

[2:44:15] shoulders.

[2:44:15] one of those examples is in my

[2:44:16] community

[2:44:16] community, 12-foot ditches on

[2:44:20] both sides

[2:44:20] both sides of the road, gravel road,

[2:44:21] road, and to end and it's marked

[2:44:24] as a cwats

[2:44:25] as a cwats trail which tells a cyclist

[2:44:26] cyclist it's a good spot to go and

[2:44:28] and it's absolutely not a good spot

[2:44:29] spot to go.

[2:44:29] we will blow the tires on our bike unless

[2:44:31] bike unless we have a fat bike

[2:44:32] and we will land

[2:44:32] and we will land in the ditch

[2:44:34] so I

[2:44:34] I know that I am late to the game

[2:44:36] game for this budget both in lakeshore

[2:44:37] lakeshore and here at the county but

[2:44:39] but don't be surprised by a notice

[2:44:40] notice of motion that will work to try to

[2:44:41] to try to bridge the last 1.8 kilometre

[2:44:45] kilometre stretch so that we as a

[2:44:47] a region will have accomplished

[2:44:48] 161 kilometres

[2:44:49] 161 kilometres of roadway and

[2:44:51] if you want to

[2:44:52] you want to see it, I am happy

[2:44:53] to

[2:44:53] to get us a bus and anyone who

[2:44:55] wants to come

[2:44:55] wants to come along we can ride

[2:44:56] it and

[2:44:56] it and if you are not feeling like

[2:44:57] like riding a bike this spring you also have all

[2:44:59] you also have all winter to get

[2:44:59] ready

[2:45:00] ready and get fit and I will take

[2:45:03] take the ride with you for the

[2:45:04] full

[2:45:04] full 160 for anyone who wants to go

[2:45:07] go.

[2:45:07] that is my two cents.

[2:45:07] >> thank you.

[2:45:09] councillor bondy. >> thank you, warden mcdonald

[2:45:13] >> thank you, warden mcdonald.

[2:45:13]

[2:45:13] further to what councillor bailey is saying

[2:45:17] bailey is saying, I am in full

[2:45:20] agreement with

[2:45:21] agreement with what she is looking

[2:45:21] looking to do and I think it is long

[2:45:22] long overdue.

[2:45:25] this is something that is going

[2:45:27] to

[2:45:27] to be a cycling corridor from

[2:45:29] one end of our county to

[2:45:29] one end of our county to another

[2:45:29] and

[2:45:31] and with the new gordie howe bridge opening

[2:45:34] bridge opening up allowing cyclist

[2:45:35] cyclist, this is really big and it's an

[2:45:36] it's an opportunity for all of us so I

[2:45:38] us so I hope you do bring it forward because I

[2:45:41] forward because I would like to support it

[2:45:41] support it.

[2:45:41] I am wondering if do we even have a

[2:45:46] have a price for that little segment? That is my

[2:45:47] have a price for that little segment? That is my

[2:45:47] that is my first question and then I have

[2:45:49] then I have several more questions

[2:45:49] questions.

[2:45:49] >> I do not have a price for you you.

[2:45:57] >> I do not have a price for you you.

[2:45:57] I can try to get one worked out for

[2:45:57] for you, a little later in the day

[2:46:01] day but at the moment I don't

[2:46:01] have that

[2:46:01] have that.

[2:46:01] >> thank you. Maybe we can add

[2:46:07] maybe we can add that to appendix

[2:46:08] appendix four that we just created

[2:46:11] created.

[2:46:11] one of the other questions that I have

[2:46:13] I have is can you elaborate a little bit more

[2:46:14] little bit more on the drainage

[2:46:16] works

[2:46:17] works that we are talking about

[2:46:19] in the

[2:46:19] in the budget.

[2:46:20] earlier miss ryan talked about

[2:46:26] how

[2:46:26] how we are doing training works

[2:46:26] and

[2:46:26] and if you can't elaborate on that

[2:46:29] that tonight I will take it by email

[2:46:32] email and in the future I just know that with

[2:46:34] know that with the recent flooding

[2:46:35] flooding in notches my minister polity but

[2:46:37] polity but other municipalities

[2:46:37] the people have a

[2:46:40] the people have a higher expectation

[2:46:40] expectation of us when it comes

[2:46:42] to drainage. They want

[2:46:43] to drainage. They want

[2:46:43] they want regular maintenance

[2:46:45] and I

[2:46:45] and I just want to make sure there is enough budget

[2:46:47] there is enough budget dollars

[2:46:47] .

[2:46:47] the other question that I also believe

[2:46:52] believe we need a full review

[2:46:53] of cwats

[2:46:53] cwats and the signage. I could

[2:46:55] I could not agree more.

[2:46:56] I know there is a cwats committee but they

[2:47:00] committee but they actually should talk

[2:47:01] should talk to the easy wrote folks who ride and

[2:47:05] folks who ride and cycle because

[2:47:08] there is another

[2:47:08] there is another section and I am

[2:47:08] am sorry, I have to raise this

[2:47:12] again.

[2:47:13] again.

[2:47:13] one can we look at this little

[2:47:15] section, just like this

[2:47:16] section, just like this section in

[2:47:18] in councillor bailey's area, a

[2:47:21] section in the cwats

[2:47:21] section in the cwats plan that can

[2:47:21] can next and another section that

[2:47:25] that is not done, I know it is

[2:47:28] a complicated

[2:47:28] complicated section and has a hydro

[2:47:29] hydro poll and it's not cheap

[2:47:31] but

[2:47:31] but we have this great waterfront trail

[2:47:32] waterfront trail that we mark

[2:47:34] as a cycling

[2:47:34] a cycling corridor and it goes from

[2:47:37] from one end to the other but

[2:47:39] in a

[2:47:39] a spot with no paved trail, the road is

[2:47:43] road is narrow and the speed limit is

[2:47:45] limit is 80 so I don't know why we have that

[2:47:48] we have that marked as?

[2:47:48] the great waterfront

[2:47:49] waterfront trail when it's a raceway

[2:47:53] raceway.

[2:47:53] do we have a cost on that and when we can get

[2:47:55] when we can get that one done,

[2:47:56] please. >>

[2:48:01] please. >>

[2:48:01] >> thank you, through you, warden, to repeat

[2:48:02] warden, to repeat back to you,

[2:48:04] we

[2:48:05] we are looking at getting some costs for

[2:48:06] costs for that segment of -- I

[2:48:10] forget the

[2:48:10] forget the name of it. The essex county

[2:48:12] the essex county way and I am

[2:48:16] just looking up some costs

[2:48:16] just looking up some costs to speak

[2:48:16] speak to the additional stormwater maintenance

[2:48:21] stormwater maintenance projects

[2:48:22] that

[2:48:23] that we would like to fund this year

[2:48:23] year and comment on county road

[2:48:28] 50 in

[2:48:30] 50 in amherstburg. This

[2:48:30] this year, we have added additional

[2:48:33] additional dollars into the stormwater maintenance along

[2:48:36] stormwater maintenance along our county

[2:48:36] county road so that we can improve catch

[2:48:41] improve catch basins, we can tackle

[2:48:43] tackle some of the aging smaller

[2:48:45] culverts

[2:48:45] culverts and road crossings that we

[2:48:46] we have.

[2:48:46] we are anticipating continued impacts of climate

[2:48:51] impacts of climate change. We

[2:48:53] we have fallen behind in years past on

[2:48:55] past on some of that maintenance

[2:48:55] and

[2:48:57] and we would like to see extra dollars

[2:48:59] dollars in that item so we can get ahead

[2:49:00] get ahead of that.

[2:49:00] to really catch up and then start to get ahead

[2:49:03] start to get ahead of it.

[2:49:04] with respect to county road 50,

[2:49:08] we

[2:49:09] we do have dollars in this year

[2:49:11] year's budget to continue work

[2:49:11] on

[2:49:11] on design for a segment of our cwats

[2:49:16] cwats trail along county road

[2:49:20] 50 50. It is really the

[2:49:20] it is really the extreme west

[2:49:21] end

[2:49:21] end.

[2:49:21] that segment is not one of the low hanging

[2:49:26] low hanging fruits that we've tackled

[2:49:27] tackled in the last ten years

[2:49:29] or so. This

[2:49:31] or so. This

[2:49:31] this one will require a little

[2:49:33] extra work.

[2:49:33] there is money in this year's

[2:49:35] budget to

[2:49:35] budget to look at what we would need to do for

[2:49:37] need to do for utility relocation

[2:49:37] relocation perhaps getting into some municipal drain

[2:49:41] some municipal drain relocation

[2:49:41] so that

[2:49:43] so that we can prepare the way to

[2:49:44] to then go ahead and pave that

[2:49:44] shoulder

[2:49:44] shoulder but the actual construction

[2:49:48] construction of the shoulder is

[2:49:49] not in this year's budget

[2:49:49] not in this year's budget but

[2:49:50] again

[2:49:50] again there is some imaginary utility money

[2:49:53] utility money there.

[2:49:53] I think I have covered all of the items

[2:49:58] the items there. >>

[2:50:02] >> thank you. I

[2:50:02] I support everything that you are presenting

[2:50:03] are presenting.

[2:50:03] I think you do a great job with

[2:50:06] our roads.

[2:50:07] our roads.

[2:50:07] I am so happy in the town of essex,

[2:50:09] essex, we partner with you for many

[2:50:11] many roads because your quality is

[2:50:12] is top-notch. I'm thrilled with

[2:50:12] I'm thrilled with that.

[2:50:12] your service on snowplowing and when

[2:50:15] when it's raining and the roads

[2:50:18] need to

[2:50:18] need to be closed your cruise are really receptive

[2:50:20] are really receptive so thank you

[2:50:21] you. I

[2:50:21] I look forward to supporting this and

[2:50:22] this and then talking about all of the other

[2:50:23] of the other things.

[2:50:24] thank you. >>

[2:50:26] >> thank you.

[2:50:27] councillor gibb. >>

[2:50:32] >> thank you. Thank you to councillor bondy

[2:50:32] thank you to councillor bondy

[2:50:32] for sew eloquently

[2:50:32] for sew eloquently phrasing the issue of county

[2:50:36] issue of county road 50.

[2:50:37] I know I have been conversing

[2:50:41] with you, allen,

[2:50:41] with you, allen, for a long time

[2:50:42] time.

[2:50:42] it is a long stretch where we invite people to

[2:50:46] invite people to bike to our wineries,

[2:50:49] wineries, to bike through amherstburg

[2:50:53] amherstburg and go to essex and all the

[2:50:56] all the way to leamington.

[2:51:01] there is one specific spot that

[2:51:03] if

[2:51:03] if they don't know it's coming

[2:51:05] , they

[2:51:05] they are caught unaware that they have to

[2:51:07] they have to merge into 80 kilometre per

[2:51:07] kilometre per hour traffic.

[2:51:07] I'm glad to hear that there is

[2:51:11] money

[2:51:13] money for the project.

[2:51:14] I do realize that it is exceedingly

[2:51:16] exceedingly difficult, that small

[2:51:16] small section but that is amherstburg for

[2:51:19] amherstburg for you.

[2:51:21] >> there is a positive note.

[2:51:24] [laughter]

[2:51:24] councilllor meloche. >> thank you

[2:51:28] >> thank you.

[2:51:28] on the cwats program, I am looking

[2:51:33] looking at the capital expenses as well

[2:51:35] as well as reserves.

[2:51:35] we have increased the program

[2:51:37] this

[2:51:37] this year, have we not already

[2:51:37] significantly

[2:51:37] significantly?

[2:51:37] I am looking at page 101.

[2:51:43] and I am trying to understand

[2:51:55] is that increase

[2:51:55] that increase is to continue on to these pieces that have

[2:51:56] to these pieces that have been mentioned

[2:51:56] mentioned or if this extra fund

[2:51:59] is to

[2:51:59] is to start addressing really

[2:52:03] what

[2:52:03] what will happen to these pieces

[2:52:05] of infrastructure

[2:52:05] of infrastructure as they come for

[2:52:06] for repair.

[2:52:06] I know we don't have a real policy

[2:52:10] policy in place as far as replacing

[2:52:11] replacing that asset so I'm wondering what

[2:52:11] wondering what these funds are for

[2:52:12] for?

[2:52:12] >> three you, warden, I am on

[2:52:21] page

[2:52:21] page 101 and I believe if you're talking about the cwats

[2:52:23] talking about the cwats program

[2:52:23] , that

[2:52:24] that is appendix three.

[2:52:29] I would divert you to page 161 if

[2:52:33] if you are looking at cwats specifically

[2:52:35] specifically because that program itself is

[2:52:35] program itself is not increased

[2:52:35] .

[2:52:35] page 101 is the entire construction and engineering

[2:52:39] construction and engineering where cwats specifically is Appendix

[2:52:43] construction and engineering where cwats specifically is Appendix

[2:52:43] appendix d.

[2:52:43] m a total levy requirement has

[2:52:45] not increased in there

[2:52:47] not increased in there.

[2:52:47] , could you help me understand

[2:52:54] on

[2:52:54] on page 101 at what I am looking at

[2:52:55] at.

[2:52:55] it says the capital expense for cwats and then the

[2:52:59] cwats and then the reserves for the

[2:53:02] the cwats program. It went

[2:53:05] it went to showing I believe 496,200.

[2:53:10] it went to showing I believe 496,200.

[2:53:10] is that an increase to the reserves

[2:53:12] reserves? Without

[2:53:12] without going to 161 because I

[2:53:14] definitely

[2:53:15] definitely --

[2:53:17] >> we are looking at that but it

[2:53:20] could be carryover

[2:53:20] could be carryover projects and

[2:53:21] that might

[2:53:21] that might be why there is the difference

[2:53:22] difference.

[2:53:22] we will confirm that with the numbers

[2:53:23] numbers.

[2:53:23] >> no problem.

[2:53:28] I can get that after.

[2:53:31] further, obviously 2 items on

[2:53:32] the extra

[2:53:32] the extra list that are significant

[2:53:35] significant to me items ten and

[2:53:37] 14 and

[2:53:38] 14 and I am hoping members of council

[2:53:39] council will support those as they've

[2:53:39] they've been highlighted for 2 2 intersections

[2:53:43] 2 intersections that are in need of improvements

[2:53:43] of improvements and so my question

[2:53:47] question would be to you, I know and

[2:53:47] and here they say levy funded

[2:53:51] but

[2:53:51] but since they are one time, could they

[2:53:54] could they not be tax stabilization

[2:53:55] stabilization funded for those

[2:53:56] 2 projects?

[2:53:56] >> sorry, I missed the first part, appendix

[2:54:02] part, appendix three?

[2:54:04] >> when we speak with alan about the plan for these

[2:54:10] the plan for these types of safety designs

[2:54:13] safety designs and things like

[2:54:14] that

[2:54:15] that, but we have really discovered is

[2:54:16] discovered is it's not one time items

[2:54:20] items, it might be a one-time item this year but the

[2:54:21] item this year but the program

[2:54:21] itself, when I spoke

[2:54:23] itself, when I spoke to ellinas

[2:54:25] seems to be about ten years

[2:54:26] seems to be about ten years worth

[2:54:26] worth of projects that could really

[2:54:28] really happen, they are really digging

[2:54:31] digging into not so as of right

[2:54:33] now, we do

[2:54:33] now, we do not have a reserve

[2:54:36] specifically

[2:54:36] specifically for these types of projects

[2:54:38] projects because it something

[2:54:40] new we've undertaken

[2:54:40] new we've undertaken.

[2:54:40] that is why in that listing we

[2:54:42] have

[2:54:42] have put it as levy funded so that

[2:54:45] that in the future, if there is

[2:54:46] more

[2:54:46] more of those which I think there is

[2:54:48] there is in the horizon with the

[2:54:49] plan

[2:54:49] plan, we have levy dollars to do those

[2:54:51] those same things and I wanted to

[2:54:52] to know with that as well that

[2:54:55] is

[2:54:56] is just for traffic lights and

[2:54:57] things like

[2:54:58] things like that were as sometimes

[2:54:59] sometimes when they go to the design

[2:55:01] design phase it's actually a roundabout

[2:55:01] roundabout they are suggesting

[2:55:01] which is

[2:55:04] which is 2 million to 5 million depending

[2:55:05] depending on how big it is so really we

[2:55:07] really we are trying to say let's use

[2:55:09] let's use levy dollars to build up

[2:55:10] up that program because we see it as

[2:55:11] it as a long-term program. >> I understand

[2:55:14] >> I understand and further that

[2:55:18] we

[2:55:18] we are going to crank this program

[2:55:19] program, we have started talking about

[2:55:20] about this program but we don't have the dollars

[2:55:21] have the dollars funded for and are planning

[2:55:23] are planning on it this year so those

[2:55:24] those two items could however, be

[2:55:27] be tax stabilization for this

[2:55:29] year to

[2:55:29] year to get them off the books

[2:55:31] and as we

[2:55:31] and as we develop this program

[2:55:32] we will look

[2:55:33] we will look at the next intersections

[2:55:33] intersections on the list, is not a possibility

[2:55:34] not a possibility?

[2:55:34] >> yes.

[2:55:38] using reserves is always a possibility

[2:55:40] possibility but for long-term planning

[2:55:40] planning it's better to use levy

[2:55:42] dollars

[2:55:43] dollars but it is a possibility

[2:55:44] . >> thank you

[2:55:44] >> thank you.

[2:55:44] the final question was item number

[2:55:45] number 18 on the appendix three which is

[2:55:49] which is the county admin building

[2:55:51] building generator study.

[2:55:51] and I realize this is just a study

[2:55:55] study so there is obviously still the cost

[2:55:58] still the cost of the generator replacement

[2:55:58] replacement but if I am reading this correctly

[2:56:02] this correctly, it is saying that

[2:56:03] that if we don't move forward with

[2:56:05] with this, we may not have a reliable

[2:56:07] reliable energy backup power for

[2:56:08] our emergency centre

[2:56:08] our emergency centre.

[2:56:08] that is a concerning thing to

[2:56:11] think about

[2:56:12] think about that our emergency

[2:56:14] centre may not have the

[2:56:15] centre may not have the power

[2:56:16] needed

[2:56:16] needed so this study I'm assuming

[2:56:20] assuming will identify where we would move

[2:56:20] would move with that and still be

[2:56:23] be years away before we would even

[2:56:24] even get to replace his, am I correct

[2:56:25] correct on that?

[2:56:25] >> three you, warden, what I was

[2:56:31] going to

[2:56:31] going to say to the generator

[2:56:33] study

[2:56:33] study is that we would like to

[2:56:34] determine our best

[2:56:34] determine our best course of action

[2:56:36] action regarding our administration buildings Emergency

[2:56:38] action regarding our administration buildings Emergency

[2:56:38] emergency backup.

[2:56:38] but we have to be mindful of our commitment

[2:56:41] commitment to the ieso, this generator feeds

[2:56:45] generator feeds back into our grid

[2:56:47] grid so we are being mindful of that

[2:56:49] that.

[2:56:49] we have experience with issues

[2:56:55] with the existing

[2:56:56] with the existing generator so planning

[2:56:57] planning for the future, it is a

[2:56:58] diesel

[2:56:58] diesel generator.

[2:56:59] it is much bigger than we actually

[2:57:02] actually need for the building

[2:57:04] so we want to consider

[2:57:05] so we want to consider things like that

[2:57:05] like that.

[2:57:05] we want to consider that it's located

[2:57:10] located now on the east side of the

[2:57:14] the building and very close to

[2:57:14] our

[2:57:14] our air intake so we do experience

[2:57:17] experience some complaints when they get fired

[2:57:19] they get fired up and the diesel

[2:57:21] exhaust gets in the

[2:57:21] exhaust gets in the building so it

[2:57:25] it is a combination of planning

[2:57:25] for the

[2:57:25] for the future, picking the right fuel

[2:57:28] right fuel

[2:57:28] source, putting it in the right location

[2:57:31] the right location and making

[2:57:31] sure we

[2:57:33] sure we do have proper backup for

[2:57:34] for our emergency operations centre

[2:57:36] centre

[2:57:36] , a combination of things but we

[2:57:37] but we do need to plan and get

[2:57:39] ahead

[2:57:39] ahead of this, early estimates for a

[2:57:44] for a generator like this are in

[2:57:45] the million-dollar

[2:57:45] the million-dollar range so we want to

[2:57:48] want to get that information in

[2:57:48] hand

[2:57:49] hand so that we can start planning for

[2:57:49] planning for the future.

[2:57:50] >> thank you.

[2:57:52] hopefully we are all writing down

[2:57:56] down these numbers in appendix

[2:57:56] three because there are several

[2:57:57] three because there are several

[2:57:57] things

[2:57:57] things we've heard that are items

[2:58:00] items needed now and not looking at

[2:58:02] at another year from now before we start moving

[2:58:03] we start moving forward with them

[2:58:03] them. Thank you

[2:58:04] thank you.

[2:58:04] >> thank you.

[2:58:07] councillor akpata. >>

[2:58:14] >> we had a brief discussion about

[2:58:16] about this looking at how this

[2:58:17] department takes

[2:58:17] department takes care of our cwats

[2:58:18] cwats trails and things of that nature and

[2:58:19] nature and I had the privilege

[2:58:20] and I realize

[2:58:21] and I realize we don't know what

[2:58:22] will be

[2:58:23] will be happening in the future because of the

[2:58:24] because of the changes that are coming

[2:58:26] coming.

[2:58:26] each of our minutes of polities

[2:58:28] here have contributed to the

[2:58:29] here have contributed to the infrastructure

[2:58:29] infrastructure, the assets or

[2:58:31] whatever term

[2:58:31] whatever term you want to use in

[2:58:31] the trail

[2:58:32] the trail network.

[2:58:33] from your perspective, looking to the

[2:58:37] to the future as alan just said,

[2:58:40] if

[2:58:40] if the ontario government continues with

[2:58:41] continues with what they are doing

[2:58:42] doing and we are eventually folded

[2:58:45] folded into the lake erie regional conservation authority

[2:58:47] regional conservation authority

[2:58:47] , I am

[2:58:50] I am looking to understand better

[2:58:52] better what might be coming in the

[2:58:54] the future for the municipalities

[2:58:54] municipalities and contributing to

[2:58:56] to the assets to keep hold of what we

[2:58:59] what we have so that we can still

[2:58:59] still control these jams that are in essex

[2:59:03] are in essex county.

[2:59:04] just a comment because I would like

[2:59:05] like to think to what might happen

[2:59:07] happen to this budget next year

[2:59:07] , thank you

[2:59:09] thank you. >>

[2:59:10] >> three you -- through you, the devil

[2:59:16] devil is in the details of this amalgamation

[2:59:17] amalgamation move, I was contacted

[2:59:21] contacted by the west ontario wardens

[2:59:22] wardens caucus to weigh in from

[2:59:24] the

[2:59:24] the county's perspective on assets

[2:59:26] assets owned by conservation authorities.

[2:59:27] assets owned by conservation authorities.

[2:59:27] there may be a lack of full awareness

[2:59:30] awareness at the provincial level

[2:59:31] level of the amount of assets

[2:59:33] that varies conservation Authorities

[2:59:33] authorities own and in essex essex county

[2:59:37] essex county, the owner of three greenway

[2:59:40] greenway systems tied directly into

[2:59:43] into our complement of the cwats trail

[2:59:45] trail that the county and it has

[2:59:49] been a gem

[2:59:49] been a gem of our region so we certainly have a

[2:59:52] certainly have a concern around

[2:59:53] the

[2:59:54] the ownership of those assets

[2:59:55] going forward under a

[2:59:56] going forward under a new governance

[2:59:56] governance model that may wrap us up into a

[2:59:58] us up into a larger geography.

[3:00:00] beyond

[3:00:00] beyond the greenway assets, there

[3:00:03] there is also heritage and cultural

[3:00:06] cultural assets at the conservation authority

[3:00:07] conservation authority owns and manages as an

[3:00:08] manages as an example, john.

[3:00:09] these are things that I have highlighted

[3:00:14] highlighted to advocate on our behalf to ask some specific

[3:00:15] behalf to ask some specific questions of the

[3:00:16] questions of the province of what

[3:00:18] what is their vision for these

[3:00:18]

[3:00:18] assets.

[3:00:18] the concern that we have is that the

[3:00:21] the province may bucket some of these assets into nonmandatory

[3:00:25] these assets into nonmandatory

[3:00:25] conservation

[3:00:25] conservation authority jurisdiction

[3:00:28] jurisdiction and that then will need to

[3:00:32] need to be a conversation around the appetite for

[3:00:33] the appetite for a municipality municipality's to

[3:00:33] municipality's to either take

[3:00:36] these

[3:00:36] these assets on and continue to

[3:00:36] manage and own

[3:00:36] manage and own them or what their future life might look

[3:00:39] their future life might look like

[3:00:39] like.

[3:00:39] as those conversations progress,

[3:00:43] please know that the county is

[3:00:44] please know that the county is

[3:00:44] forwarding information

[3:00:44] forwarding information in collaboration

[3:00:45] collaboration. I have

[3:00:47] I have been in contacti with

[3:00:50] tim, the ceo,

[3:00:51] the ceo, tohave been in contact

[3:00:52] with tim explain burning

[3:00:52] burning that request for information

[3:00:53] for information, from the the ceo

[3:00:53] to explain that county.

[3:00:55] request for information

[3:00:55] request for information from the county

[3:00:55] countyand. More information to

[3:00:58]

[3:00:58] and more information come but

[3:00:59] to we

[3:00:59] we come do but we

[3:01:00] wealso have a concern around the ownership question

[3:01:00] the ownership question of those

[3:01:00] also have concern around the ownership

[3:01:01] ownership question of those assets

[3:01:01] assets assets

[3:01:02] assets.

[3:01:02] .as we have more information,

[3:01:04] we

[3:01:04] as we have more information will make

[3:01:05] will make we sure we have will make sure we have

[3:01:06] will make sure we havean updated

[3:01:06] updated updated reports

[3:01:06] reports to council as report to county counsel as it

[3:01:06] as it relates it to relates the

[3:01:10] operation of infrastructure, planning

[3:01:10] of infrastructure, planning services and

[3:01:10] services and to the operation of Infrastructure

[3:01:10] infrastructure planning services and

[3:01:10] and perhaps perhaps that amalgamation

[3:01:14] amalgamation or roll-up of those

[3:01:14] assets

[3:01:14] assets that amalgamation a.

[3:01:15] rollup

[3:01:16] rollup of assets in

[3:01:17] rollup of assets in

[3:01:17] the county operations

[3:01:17] operations are by extension I

[3:01:20] think there's conversation and Opportunity

[3:01:20] opportunity for locals to see

[3:01:24] whether they want

[3:01:24] whether they want a role to play in those

[3:01:25] in those assets as well.

[3:01:25] greenway evolution they been funded

[3:01:32] funded by a number of sources whether

[3:01:33] whether through donations to the

[3:01:33] foundation

[3:01:33] foundation, local, municipal and revenue

[3:01:40] revenue from irca what you find --

[3:01:45] -- taxpayers of the region invested significantly

[3:01:46] invested significantly in these assets and

[3:01:47] assets and we want to make sure we preserve

[3:01:47] we preserve them. >> thank

[3:01:51] >> thank you madame morden.

[3:01:52] I wanted to have the discussion

[3:01:53] because

[3:01:55] because this team touched on a lot

[3:01:55] lot of our recreational assets

[3:01:57] and key components

[3:01:57] and key components.

[3:01:57] I think now is the time for us to

[3:02:00] to start to think as to what may happen

[3:02:03] happen.

[3:02:03] a plan that's positive for essex county but

[3:02:09] county but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[3:02:11] my breath.

[3:02:11] thank you madam morden. >> councillor deyong

[3:02:14] >> councillor deyong. >>

[3:02:14] >> thank you.

[3:02:16] I have a couple of things.

[3:02:18] I want to start with page 107 and

[3:02:20] and I think it will be an easy

[3:02:21] answer

[3:02:21] answer but there's a list of capital

[3:02:26] capital expenditures and several

[3:02:28] of the

[3:02:28] of the items were budgeted in

[3:02:30] 2025. They

[3:02:30] they weren't projected to be spent

[3:02:32] spent in 2025 and there budgeted

[3:02:35] again in

[3:02:35] again in 2026.

[3:02:35] so you just -- didn't do in 2025 what

[3:02:40] what we thought we were doing the capital

[3:02:41] the capital expenditures.

[3:02:41] I'm looking at specifically I think there's pickup

[3:02:46] think there's pickup trucks, three of those

[3:02:48] three of those.

[3:02:48] there's mower and a sweeper truck

[3:02:54] truck, it's a little bit different

[3:02:56] different but there's several items we

[3:02:58] items we budgeted for in 2025 and

[3:02:59] and didn't spend it.

[3:02:59] it's in 2026 and because I don't

[3:03:03] see the reserve

[3:03:03] see the reserve or levy or whatever are these

[3:03:05] whatever are these items carrying

[3:03:06] carrying over or are they reflecting her levy this

[3:03:07] reflecting her levy this year?

[3:03:07]

[3:03:07] >> through you a lot of these

[3:03:13] we are trying

[3:03:13] are trying to order them when we can

[3:03:14] can but they're not coming in

[3:03:16] in the

[3:03:16] the years of the dollars are not being spent.

[3:03:17] being spent.

[3:03:17] it doesn't mean we don't need them

[3:03:19] them just you will see the dollars being spent

[3:03:21] dollars being spent in the following year

[3:03:21] following year.

[3:03:21] and I don't know there's any particular

[3:03:25] particular item you are looking at,

[3:03:27] at, but some are reserves funded on summer

[3:03:30] on summer levy funded.

[3:03:31] it's a mix for the whole program

[3:03:32] program. >> I'm looking

[3:03:34] program. >> I'm looking

[3:03:34] >> I'm looking at the four specifically I

[3:03:35] specifically I mentioned because

[3:03:36] he put

[3:03:36] he put them on the 2025 budget

[3:03:38] . I'm

[3:03:38] I'm hoping those at least are all reserve

[3:03:41] all reserve funded then.

[3:03:42] if you want, I can give you the

[3:03:46] specific

[3:03:46] specific lines 3805.

[3:03:51] they are all 3805, that doesn't

[3:03:54] help

[3:03:55] help. [laughter]

[3:03:55] [laughter]

[3:03:55] although 3805 that have zero in projected

[3:03:59] projected are numbers 25 and 26 there's at

[3:04:00] there's at least -- some would be

[3:04:06] be levy funded.

[3:04:06] if we don't spend it we put it to

[3:04:07] to reserves and 2025.

[3:04:11] >> I expect it was in the levy

[3:04:20] and 22

[3:04:20] and 22 any five.

[3:04:22] and 22 any five.

[3:04:22]

[3:04:22] the fact that it was in the line

[3:04:27] line, I'm

[3:04:30] line, I'm wondering are those

[3:04:31] being full -- pulled from the

[3:04:31] being full -- pulled from the reserve

[3:04:31] reserve?

[3:04:31] >> they are. >> the

[3:04:36] >> the one I think is -- I'm curious we budgeted

[3:04:37] curious we budgeted 825 and spent

[3:04:39] spent 720 of that and were looking

[3:04:43] looking at 400 more.

[3:04:45] I'm trying to understand those

[3:04:46] numbers.

[3:04:46] I think 800 was two and it looks like we

[3:04:49] like we bought two and now we're looking for another

[3:04:51] looking for another one.

[3:04:55] I'm seeing some nodding in the

[3:04:57] audience

[3:04:57] audience.

[3:04:57] my assumption would be we put

[3:05:04] in two in

[3:05:04] two in the budget last year I believe

[3:05:04] believe.

[3:05:04] we put three in the budget last year

[3:05:08] year so two were purchased and

[3:05:11] we're purchasing the

[3:05:12] we're purchasing the third next

[3:05:12] year

[3:05:13] year and I'm assuming the costs were higher

[3:05:14] were higher than we anticipated

[3:05:14] .

[3:05:14] we will just confirm with some numbers

[3:05:26] numbers to make sure.

[3:05:27] >> three u. Warden just looking

[3:05:38] at the budget

[3:05:38] at the budget, we did budget 800,000 for two loaders

[3:05:41] 800,000 for two loaders last year

[3:05:41] year.

[3:05:41] we got them at a better price

[3:05:45] than we

[3:05:45] than we thought so we spent only

[3:05:46] 720,000 of that and

[3:05:47] 720,000 of that and we are looking

[3:05:47] looking for purchase of another loader in

[3:05:50] loader in 2026.

[3:05:52] >> if I may, I just have one more

[3:05:57] more thing.

[3:05:57] on page 159 under the -- I guess

[3:06:05] it's the construction

[3:06:05] it's the construction project listing the

[3:06:05] listing the second last item is

[3:06:07] roadway

[3:06:12] roadway expansion pickets as heritage road extension

[3:06:13] heritage road extension mccain

[3:06:14] county

[3:06:15] county road 22 road two west and I talked

[3:06:18] I talked with my colleague here to

[3:06:22] to figure out how heritage extends from

[3:06:23] extends from maine and road two.

[3:06:27]

[3:06:27] is this the new road not in there yet

[3:06:30] there yet?

[3:06:43] >> through you, we listed that

[3:06:55] under our construction

[3:06:57] under our construction budget.

[3:06:58]

[3:06:58] it is particularly for the intersection

[3:07:03] intersection of heritage road and county

[3:07:04] and county road 20.

[3:07:05] speaking with your administration

[3:07:08] administration of the town -- they

[3:07:12] they said they were going to move

[3:07:13] move forward with improvement

[3:07:14] at the intersection

[3:07:14] the intersection so there would be a

[3:07:15] be a county sheriff for that.

[3:07:15] it's part of a bigger project there working towards

[3:07:20] there working towards in heritage

[3:07:21] heritage road north to kingsville road

[3:07:23] kingsville road two. >> I appreciate

[3:07:27] >> I appreciate that because it doesn't

[3:07:29] doesn't really involve road two at all.

[3:07:30] at all.

[3:07:30] that's what threw me. I'm

[3:07:32] I'm not connecting these roads

[3:07:33] . Is the intersection specifically

[3:07:36] is the intersection specifically

[3:07:36] heritage on main

[3:07:37] heritage on main street not even a four-way and it

[3:07:39] a four-way and it will be upgraded

[3:07:39] upgraded.

[3:07:39] just one more thing I had messaged sometime throughout

[3:07:46] messaged sometime throughout the

[3:07:47] year asking about county

[3:07:48] year asking about county road 20 from

[3:07:48] from heritage to think mccain specifically

[3:07:53] specifically about pay shoulders

[3:07:54] shoulders. I don't

[3:07:55] shoulders. I don't

[3:07:55] I don't see it here and I think the response

[3:07:56] the response I got when I asked about

[3:07:58] about where it was on our plan was

[3:08:00] was for 26.

[3:08:01] I don't see it here.

[3:08:02] I don't see it on any of the lists unless

[3:08:05] lists unless I'm missing it.

[3:08:05] road 20 from heritage to mccain

[3:08:10] .

[3:08:23] >> through you warden just some clarification

[3:08:38] clarification.

[3:08:38] county road 23 to mccain or heritage to

[3:08:44] heritage to mccain. >> my

[3:08:49] >> my question was because I had

[3:08:50] gotten

[3:08:51] gotten questions about the safety of biking

[3:08:52] safety of biking.

[3:08:52] more of our not done yet with

[3:08:59] no paved shoulders.

[3:08:59] we have that doughnut with a dense residential

[3:09:05] dense residential out of town so people

[3:09:05] people bike on that. I would have loved

[3:09:06] I would have loved to have seen that

[3:09:07] that done which I argue nobody's

[3:09:09] biking

[3:09:09] biking on.

[3:09:11] when I asked about specifically

[3:09:14] when this

[3:09:14] when this might come up in our plan for

[3:09:15] plan for that I was sure that it was

[3:09:19] was 26.

[3:09:19] do we add those shoulders at the same

[3:09:21] same time that come after --

[3:09:26] >> through you a doesn't look

[3:09:28] like

[3:09:28] like we included that in our 26 budget

[3:09:32] budget.

[3:09:32] typically we would put paved shoulders

[3:09:33] shoulders on at the same time

[3:09:35] as we

[3:09:36] we do the resurfacing. And the odd situation

[3:09:37] and the odd situation we have

[3:09:40] paid

[3:09:40] paid shoulders as standalone projects

[3:09:40] projects.

[3:09:40] >> when we are talking about the various

[3:09:45] various places counter road 18 was

[3:09:51] was upgraded as the road and we

[3:09:51] put the

[3:09:51] put the trail and don't have a

[3:09:54] plan

[3:09:56] plan or how to fund this going

[3:09:58] forward and

[3:09:59] forward and I think we will have

[3:10:00] to

[3:10:00] to start prioritizing were people

[3:10:02] people are actually biking verses were

[3:10:02] verses were doing the road let's pave the shoulders picker member

[3:10:05] pave the shoulders picker member

[3:10:05] arguing

[3:10:06] arguing last budgeted take it

[3:10:08] off

[3:10:08] off and I voted down against and

[3:10:11] would've loved

[3:10:11] would've loved to see the dollars

[3:10:12] dollars go to this road which is actually

[3:10:14] actually connecting residential

[3:10:14] to

[3:10:17] to downtown and would've been way more

[3:10:17] way more beneficial.

[3:10:17] it didn't make the 26 budget. As it

[3:10:22] as it may be going to be on next

[3:10:22] year

[3:10:23] year. I

[3:10:23] I want the residents asking me

[3:10:25] when it

[3:10:26] when it doesn't get done because I

[3:10:27] I shared with them it was going

[3:10:28] to

[3:10:28] to be on the 26 budget.

[3:10:29] is it on the 27?

[3:10:31] do we know? Is

[3:10:31] is it on the horizon?

[3:10:32] >> through you as I understand

[3:10:36] it

[3:10:37] it it's on the 27 horizon.

[3:10:39] it also has a local component

[3:10:45] so the

[3:10:45] the town of kings well we'll have

[3:10:46] have to included on the budget

[3:10:46] as well

[3:10:46] as well.

[3:10:46] >> anyone else?

[3:10:55] >> through you just a question if

[3:10:59] if you could look at the budget narrative of

[3:11:02] narrative of page 9 talking about

[3:11:04] about the transit feasibility

[3:11:06] study

[3:11:06] study. Is

[3:11:06] is there a typo that were talks

[3:11:07] about

[3:11:09] about the regional transit working group

[3:11:12] working group will continue discussions

[3:11:12] discussions in 2026.

[3:11:13] council approved to begin a trans visibility study.

[3:11:19] trans visibility study.

[3:11:19] is that 2025 or am I reading that incorrect

[3:11:22] that incorrect?

[3:11:22] >> through you could you repeat

[3:11:28] . >> it's page 9 of

[3:11:29] >> it's page 9 of 13 on the narrative

[3:11:29] narrative report.

[3:11:31] it talks about council approved

[3:11:38] 100,000 in

[3:11:38] 100,000 in 2026 to begin and I transit feasibility

[3:11:41] transit feasibility study.

[3:11:41] is that 2025, is that a typo or

[3:11:51] . Is that correct. >> through

[3:11:51] >> through you we did have the discussion in

[3:11:52] discussion in 2025 about the transit and

[3:11:56] transit and regional transit in

[3:11:58] essex county

[3:11:58] essex county and through that discussion

[3:11:59] discussion in the report I was

[3:12:00] directed

[3:12:00] directed to include an amount of money of

[3:12:02] money of the 26 budget to begin a transit feasibility

[3:12:05] a transit feasibility study.

[3:12:06] >> so that clarifies that.

[3:12:11] there's still the transit working group.

[3:12:12] there's still the transit working group.

[3:12:12] I was disappointed to learn the leamington line

[3:12:15] leamington line got denied this

[3:12:17] year

[3:12:19] year and even in the municipality of

[3:12:21] municipality of leamington I think we

[3:12:21] think we need to be serious in terms of

[3:12:24] terms of having data and look at

[3:12:26] the

[3:12:26] the cost so we can have regional transit

[3:12:31] transit in the county of essex.

[3:12:31] we need to start somewhere so this

[3:12:35] this hundred thousand will go

[3:12:36] towards continuing

[3:12:36] towards continuing those discussions and come back

[3:12:37] discussions and come back with a

[3:12:37] plan

[3:12:39] plan and all local municipalities

[3:12:41] municipalities need to have skin in the

[3:12:42] in the game when we use the term

[3:12:44] term.

[3:12:44] I know a lot do their own transit but

[3:12:46] transit but we need to be able to connect it

[3:12:47] to connect it. We

[3:12:47] we applaud on how it's ec way and

[3:12:54] and we got 161 kilometres yet we cannot

[3:12:56] cannot even figure out how to

[3:12:58] do regional

[3:12:58] regional transit and we've been talking

[3:12:59] talking about it for decades. More

[3:13:01] more than a decade. I'd like

[3:13:02] I'd like to talk about -- I'd like to

[3:13:04] like to see that.

[3:13:05] thank you for clarifying.

[3:13:05] >> thank you. Councillor

[3:13:09] councillor rogers. >> thank

[3:13:10] >> thank you and through you, a couple of points

[3:13:10] couple of points.

[3:13:10] county road 50 feasibility study we

[3:13:16] we had to know this was coming.

[3:13:18]

[3:13:18] I know we are going through it

[3:13:20] and

[3:13:20] and it's coming to fruition soon

[3:13:22] soon.

[3:13:22] maybe the first question is an update

[3:13:23] update of where we're at on it

[3:13:23] .

[3:13:23] >> thank you, through you we are continuing

[3:13:28] continuing to finalize the feasibility study.

[3:13:32] feasibility study.

[3:13:32] that is looking at feasibility of

[3:13:36] of adding transportation to a

[3:13:40] segment

[3:13:40] segment of county road 50 in kingsville

[3:13:43] kingsville just east of conservation

[3:13:44] conservation boulevard.

[3:13:44] we've had a public meeting with

[3:13:46] the

[3:13:46] the community.

[3:13:48] honestly we're struggling a little

[3:13:50] little bit with the consultant

[3:13:51] and

[3:13:55] and working to get a product we

[3:13:57] can

[3:13:57] can share with the public and

[3:13:59] would like

[3:13:59] would like to thank the town of kingsville and your Administration

[3:14:01] would like to thank the town of kingsville and your Administration

[3:14:01] administration for working with

[3:14:01] us

[3:14:02] us through this project.

[3:14:06] one thing I could share with council at the

[3:14:07] council at the moment is it looks like prior

[3:14:11] looks like prior to doing any

[3:14:15] surface

[3:14:15] surface work or trail construction

[3:14:16] construction there's likely going to have to

[3:14:17] going to have to be some stormwater

[3:14:17] stormwater's -- solution to that

[3:14:21] and it

[3:14:21] and it would likely be through the municipal

[3:14:22] the municipal drainage process

[3:14:22] .

[3:14:22] that's likely coming in the near

[3:14:27] future

[3:14:28] future for council at the town

[3:14:30] of kingsville to consider

[3:14:30] of kingsville to consider.

[3:14:30] >> is there any items in this

[3:14:37] budget

[3:14:37] budget for that project?

[3:14:37] >> through you, there is not.

[3:14:42] we need to get through this feasibility

[3:14:43] feasibility study and bring that

[3:14:45] recommendation

[3:14:49] recommendation to county counsel and because it was

[3:14:49] and because it was so late in the

[3:14:49] the year we were not able to get

[3:14:52] it

[3:14:53] it into the 27 -- 26 budget. >> maybe a couple of

[3:14:57] >> maybe a couple of comments on that

[3:14:57] that.

[3:14:57] hearing my colleagues talk about

[3:15:02] road

[3:15:04] road 50 -- it's to my knowledge

[3:15:07] that

[3:15:07] that the section hasn't been brought

[3:15:08] brought before council but this is

[3:15:09] is actually a section approved

[3:15:13] by council,

[3:15:14] by council, a feasibility study has

[3:15:14] has been approved for it.

[3:15:14] there's understanding there's drainage and

[3:15:18] drainage and utility dollars for that project

[3:15:19] that project.

[3:15:19] I think it's only where the county has been out

[3:15:23] county has been out and identified

[3:15:23] identified -- we know it's going to

[3:15:27] to be a big project but us waiting

[3:15:29] waiting and kicking the can down

[3:15:30] another year

[3:15:31] another year for me is we'd like to see

[3:15:31] to see some sort of dollar.

[3:15:32] with dollars coming out for the

[3:15:35] project

[3:15:37] project my hope is from the feasibility

[3:15:38] feasibility study within the same

[3:15:41] same pocket maybe there's some dollars

[3:15:43] dollars there for us to continue to move this

[3:15:44] to move this project forward.

[3:15:45] I'd hate for it to be a stalemate

[3:15:48] stalemate over another year because

[3:15:49] because we know there will be

[3:15:49] a lot of

[3:15:49] lot of work and not doubting -- have

[3:15:54] have to take some land there.

[3:15:55] there's a lot of things that will be done if

[3:15:56] will be done if we move forward. We delayed

[3:15:58] we delayed another year then it's another

[3:16:01] it's another year and continuing

[3:16:02] to

[3:16:02] to kick it down the road.

[3:16:03] maybe a couple of comments, please.

[3:16:05] please.

[3:16:05] >> thank you, through you warden

[3:16:08] warden.

[3:16:08] I believe there are differences

[3:16:10] between county

[3:16:13] between county road 50 and in kingsville

[3:16:14] kingsville.

[3:16:14] one that comes to mind is I'm certain

[3:16:20] certain the project and abbess

[3:16:20] berg is

[3:16:21] berg is part of the current network.

[3:16:23] berg is part of the current network.

[3:16:23] it was one of the projects further

[3:16:26] further into the future and it

[3:16:27] wasn't one of

[3:16:27] wasn't one of the low hanging

[3:16:29] fruits

[3:16:29] fruits that we could tackle easily

[3:16:30] easily so it's been on the books

[3:16:31] and planning for that

[3:16:33] and planning for that.

[3:16:33] the project in kingsville I believe was

[3:16:39] believe was set aside because of the

[3:16:39] the difficulties and because of the work

[3:16:42] the work they done on their own

[3:16:43] to find another

[3:16:43] to find another solution to complete that active Transportation

[3:16:47] to find another solution to complete that active Transportation

[3:16:47] transportation facility.

[3:16:47] -- there was a solution currently in

[3:16:59] currently in play and I wouldn't

[3:17:04] want to leave

[3:17:04] want to leave council of the idea they

[3:17:05] idea they will be doing anything in

[3:17:07] in 2026 with that project.

[3:17:08] it'll be brought back for council's

[3:17:10] council's consideration because

[3:17:11] I

[3:17:13] I am of the opinion that the first that will be a

[3:17:15] first that will be a drainage

[3:17:16] solution

[3:17:16] solution that likely get started

[3:17:19] if

[3:17:19] if things fall in line in the

[3:17:20] right reports

[3:17:20] right reports get written to the

[3:17:23] different councils I could start

[3:17:23] this year

[3:17:23] this year.

[3:17:23] >> I like the word could.

[3:17:30] thank you. >>

[3:17:31] >> anyone else?

[3:17:31] there is a recommendation for council that the

[3:17:37] council that the presentation

[3:17:42] infrastructure and planning Services

[3:17:42] services budget -- the estimates

[3:17:46] for infrastructure

[3:17:48] for infrastructure planning services

[3:17:49] services be received or received and

[3:17:50] and approved.

[3:17:50] looking for your direction. Councillor

[3:17:50] councillor gibb. >> received and

[3:17:54] >> received and approved. >> councillor gibb

[3:17:59] >> councillor gibb.

[3:17:59] looking for a second or. Councillor rogers

[3:18:01] councillor rogers pick any discussion

[3:18:01] discussion of the motion?

[3:18:01] we will ask you to vote electronically

[3:18:05] electronically, please.

[3:18:17] and that's carried.

[3:18:33] it's now time for lunch so I'm going

[3:18:39] going to need a motion to recess for

[3:18:41] for a 30 minute lunch break.

[3:18:44] it's 12:18. I'm

[3:18:45] I'm looking at 12:48.

[3:18:47] a mover and a second or moved

[3:18:53] by councillor

[3:18:53] councillor meloche.

[3:18:53] seconded by council prue. All in

[3:18:56] all in favour. I

[3:18:56] I will ask you to sit for minute because

[3:18:58] because we have some instructions.

[3:18:58] instructions.

[3:18:58] all in favour and nobody wants to go.

[3:19:01] all in favour and nobody wants to go.

[3:19:01] that's approved.

[3:19:01] the note from the clerk is please enter the

[3:19:07] please enter the kitchen by the

[3:19:07] main

[3:19:08] main hallway, not the eerie room for

[3:19:11] for the lunch key when she's asking council

[3:19:12] asking council vote first.

[3:19:13] don't you like to be the ones that go

[3:19:15] that go first?

[3:19:16] were good? Understood

[3:19:20] understood?

[3:19:20] great.

[3:19:39]

[3:21:16]

[3:23:28]

[3:24:59]

[3:24:59] >> speaker-01: I'm going to call

[4:04:02] call the meeting to order.

[4:04:03] is after 1:00.

[4:04:05] we are going to start the next

[4:04:06] session

[4:04:08] session of budget with the essex

[4:04:09] essex

[4:04:09] essex county library.

[4:04:10] for that we have adam cracknell

[4:04:14] chief

[4:04:14] chief librarian to present the

[4:04:15] 2026

[4:04:15] 2026 budget estimates.

[4:04:16] over to you, adam.

[4:04:17] >> thank you, madame morden.

[4:04:20] the 2025 was the first full year

[4:04:23] of

[4:04:24] of work toward the goal set up

[4:04:25] in

[4:04:25] in the recent essex strategic

[4:04:27] plan

[4:04:27] plan and that includes the mission

[4:04:29] mission statement before you.

[4:04:30] the idea of the library being

[4:04:32] a space

[4:04:32] space for discovery for all of

[4:04:34] the

[4:04:34] the heart of our committees has

[4:04:35] been

[4:04:36] been rocked -- brought to life

[4:04:37] by

[4:04:37] by the work our staff have been

[4:04:39] doing

[4:04:39] doing across 14 branches.

[4:04:40] we see substantial measurable

[4:04:41] increases

[4:04:41] increases in engagement, particularly

[4:04:42] particularly with programming

[4:04:45] and

[4:04:45] and do user sign-ups.

[4:04:46] for example, between february

[4:04:48] and

[4:04:48] and november of this year, we

[4:04:49] welcomed

[4:04:49] welcomed over 1000 new memberships

[4:04:51] memberships to the library.

[4:04:51] I think this reinforces the notion

[4:04:55] notion that the library is an

[4:04:56] important

[4:04:56] important part of more and more

[4:04:58] community

[4:04:58] community members lives.

[4:04:58] taking it a step further, the

[4:05:02] essex

[4:05:02] essex county libraries vision

[4:05:04] statement

[4:05:04] statement that you have here emphasizes

[4:05:05] emphasizes connecting its patrons

[4:05:07] patrons to information and entertainment

[4:05:08] entertainment.

[4:05:08] our responsive service and community

[4:05:12] community embedded staff contribute

[4:05:13] contribute to positioning the

[4:05:14] library

[4:05:14] library as a cornerstone of of county

[4:05:15] of county services.

[4:05:15] we are not emergency medicine

[4:05:20] nor

[4:05:20] nor housing but I think it could

[4:05:22] be

[4:05:22] be argued that the library provides

[4:05:25] provides critical service in support

[4:05:26] support of increasing quality

[4:05:27] of life

[4:05:27] life for every resident of essex

[4:05:30] essex county

[4:05:30] essex county.

[4:05:30] we foster lifelong learning and

[4:05:31] community

[4:05:32] community engagement in ways that

[4:05:34] that few other organizations do

[4:05:35] .

[4:05:35] post-pandemic, we have continued

[4:05:37] building

[4:05:38] building woman meant -- momentum

[4:05:38] toward

[4:05:39] toward achieving the vision.

[4:05:39] our staff delivered 2242 programs

[4:05:42] programs between january and november of

[4:05:43] november of this year.

[4:05:44] this was over 84,000 patrons across

[4:05:48] across the county.

[4:05:49] by comparison in all of 2024,

[4:05:51] we had

[4:05:51] had a 77,000 program attendees

[4:05:52] .

[4:05:52] we've already surpassed our 2024

[4:05:57] totals

[4:05:57] totals and had record-breaking

[4:05:58] months

[4:05:58] months in july and october of

[4:05:59] this

[4:05:59] this year.

[4:05:59] I'm here today to ask for what

[4:06:03] we

[4:06:04] we believe is a modest increase

[4:06:06] tied

[4:06:06] tied largely to negotiated changes

[4:06:07] changes in salary and benefits

[4:06:09] .

[4:06:09] our net departmental requirement

[4:06:10] has

[4:06:10] has gone from 7,006,460 in 2025

[4:06:14] to

[4:06:15] to 7,165,280 in 2026.

[4:06:19] this is not discretionary cost

[4:06:21] growth

[4:06:22] growth.

[4:06:22] this is tied to salary and benefits

[4:06:23] benefits.

[4:06:23] as you can see, staffing costs

[4:06:28] account

[4:06:28] account for the line share of

[4:06:30] this

[4:06:30] this budget at 71.8 percent, followed

[4:06:32] followed by material costs.

[4:06:33] that is cost associated with books

[4:06:35] books and dvds and other loanable

[4:06:37] loanable materials, at about 12% 12%.

[4:06:39] loanable materials, at about 12% 12%.

[4:06:39] what this meant during the preparation

[4:06:41] preparation process for today,

[4:06:42] we

[4:06:42] we took a deep look at historically

[4:06:44] historically under spent the budget

[4:06:45] budget lines and reallocated accordingly

[4:06:46] accordingly to ensure that our

[4:06:47] core

[4:06:48] core functions are being met and

[4:06:49] that

[4:06:49] that there is very little fat

[4:06:51] on this

[4:06:51] this budget.

[4:06:51] as mentioned, the 2026 budget

[4:06:57] includes

[4:06:57] includes request for increases

[4:06:58] of

[4:06:59] of 128,000 dollars for wages and

[4:07:04] another

[4:07:04] another 30,700 for benefit cost

[4:07:05] .

[4:07:05] overall, the proposed request

[4:07:09] accounts

[4:07:09] accounts and amounts to 2.3% increase

[4:07:12] increase over the 2025 budget,

[4:07:13] this

[4:07:14] this level of increase would allow

[4:07:15] allow us to maintain our current

[4:07:16] staffing

[4:07:16] staffing levels, which in turn

[4:07:17] allows

[4:07:18] allows the library to continue

[4:07:18] providing

[4:07:21] providing quality, community service

[4:07:22] service at all 14 branches.

[4:07:23] with that, I would be happy to

[4:07:26] answer

[4:07:26] answer any questions.

[4:07:27] >> thank you.

[4:07:29] questions for our chief librarian

[4:07:30] librarian?

[4:07:30] councilor deyong.

[4:07:31] >> I think I know the answer but

[4:07:36] on

[4:07:36] on the salaries, students from

[4:07:37] 2025

[4:07:38] 2025 of this budget a 200,000,

[4:07:40] we

[4:07:40] we didn't spend any of that towards

[4:07:42] towards not propose we will.

[4:07:43] and we are looking for 328 for

[4:07:46] 26.

[4:07:46] so it is up $130,000.

[4:07:47] even though we didn't have any

[4:07:50] projected

[4:07:50] projected for 2025.

[4:07:51] but I see part-time is down by

[4:07:53] almost

[4:07:53] almost three something.

[4:07:57] is that the difference?

[4:07:58] >> there are a couple of items

[4:08:00] here

[4:08:00] here where we moved things around

[4:08:02] around.

[4:08:02] the costing stayed the same, if

[4:08:05] I'm

[4:08:05] I'm not mistaken.

[4:08:06] we actually sort of changed the

[4:08:08] naming

[4:08:08] naming on the budget lines.

[4:08:09] there is another place where you

[4:08:10] will

[4:08:11] will see electronic data and hosting

[4:08:14] hosting services.

[4:08:14] it has us asking for zero dollars

[4:08:18] dollars there but that funding

[4:08:19] is

[4:08:19] is actually moved to another client

[4:08:20] client.

[4:08:20] is a more descriptive and were

[4:08:21] appropriate

[4:08:22] appropriate.

[4:08:22] it is actually not a change in

[4:08:25] the

[4:08:25] the dollars we are asking.

[4:08:27] please correct me if I am speaking

[4:08:28] speaking.

[4:08:28] it's not a change in the dollars

[4:08:30] we

[4:08:30] we are asking, just moving into

[4:08:31] other

[4:08:32] other places where they are more

[4:08:33] appropriate

[4:08:33] appropriate.

[4:08:33] >> that's what I figured.

[4:08:37] students are part-timers and that's

[4:08:38] that's why the two lines are interchangeable

[4:08:40] interchangeable.

[4:08:40] thank you.

[4:08:40] >> anyone else?

[4:08:42] deputy warden.

[4:08:45] >> thank you.

[4:08:45] thank you, adam for preventing

[4:08:50] the

[4:08:51] the ball it -- the budget.

[4:08:52] the library board, we have many

[4:08:57] councillors

[4:08:57] councillors to sit on the library

[4:08:59] library board, a councilor from

[4:09:07] la salle

[4:09:07] la salle and leamington and kingsville

[4:09:08] kingsville.

[4:09:08] I'm very proud working with this

[4:09:12] budget

[4:09:12] budget in terms of offering the

[4:09:13] programs

[4:09:14] programs and just to mention,

[4:09:17] I know

[4:09:17] know throughout a him, there is

[4:09:19] a

[4:09:19] a lot of increase in terms of

[4:09:21] the

[4:09:21] the surplus books due to the flood

[4:09:22] flood and so a lot of these discarded

[4:09:26] discarded books have been put

[4:09:27] to good

[4:09:27] good use.

[4:09:27] there are several board members

[4:09:28] that

[4:09:29] that took advantage of having

[4:09:30] community

[4:09:30] community events.

[4:09:30] I encourage anyone, if there are

[4:09:34] any

[4:09:34] any groups or people that you

[4:09:36] know

[4:09:36] know, please share the word, contact

[4:09:37] contact adam and he will connect

[4:09:39] you

[4:09:39] you with that and you can have

[4:09:41] a community

[4:09:42] community free book giveaway.

[4:09:43] thank you for fostering that,

[4:09:44] into

[4:09:44] into your staff as well.

[4:09:45] thank you.

[4:09:45] >> councilor bondy.

[4:09:49] >> thank you, warden macdonald

[4:09:50] .

[4:09:50] it is a solid budget.

[4:09:55] not asking for any real increases

[4:09:56] increases.

[4:09:56] my question is more, we know the

[4:10:01] herald

[4:10:01] herald library had a division

[4:10:02] c in

[4:10:03] in -- a deficiency in stop for

[4:10:04] a while

[4:10:04] while.

[4:10:04] are there any branches that are

[4:10:06] lacking

[4:10:06] lacking staff right now and if

[4:10:10] so

[4:10:10] so, is this something you are

[4:10:12] looking

[4:10:12] looking to be addressed in 2027?

[4:10:14] >> if the question is do we need

[4:10:23] -- I can always do more with

[4:10:25] with more.

[4:10:25] I think maintaining our current

[4:10:27] level

[4:10:27] level of service, we are seeing

[4:10:29] it

[4:10:29] it pay off in 2027 we could look

[4:10:31] at

[4:10:31] at it over the course of 26.

[4:10:33] if there were a need to adjust

[4:10:35] staffing

[4:10:35] staffing levels, we would certainly

[4:10:36] certainly come back to the table

[4:10:37] and

[4:10:37] and ask in 27.

[4:10:38] >> it is something that of of course

[4:10:43] of course I will bring up at the

[4:10:44] board

[4:10:44] board but I wanted to ask that

[4:10:46] question

[4:10:46] question here as well because

[4:10:47] we know

[4:10:47] know that numbers are going up

[4:10:49] , circulation

[4:10:49] circulation is trending up.

[4:10:50] I want to make sure the current

[4:10:51] level

[4:10:52] level of stuff like any other

[4:10:53] service

[4:10:53] service we provide is adequate

[4:10:54] in

[4:10:55] in that when we get new branches

[4:10:56] as

[4:10:57] as well, it could potentially

[4:11:02] need

[4:11:02] need more hours in the future.

[4:11:03]

[4:11:03] that is something that I want

[4:11:04] to make

[4:11:05] make sure we are looking at.

[4:11:06] every time we get a new branch

[4:11:08] , there

[4:11:08] there is a renewed energy in that

[4:11:09] that community.

[4:11:10] so thank you.

[4:11:10] whenever the discussion is right

[4:11:14] right,

[4:11:14] right, I will make a motion to

[4:11:16] support

[4:11:17] support the budget.

[4:11:17] >> thank you.

[4:11:18] anyone else?

[4:11:18] seeing there is no one else, there

[4:11:28] there is a recommendation before

[4:11:30] council

[4:11:30] council that the presentation

[4:11:31] for

[4:11:31] for the proposed 2026 essex essex county

[4:11:34] essex county library board budget

[4:11:35] budget be received, and further

[4:11:36] that

[4:11:36] that the 2026 budget estimates

[4:11:39] for

[4:11:39] for essex county library board

[4:11:40] be

[4:11:40] be received or received and approved

[4:11:41] approved.

[4:11:41] councilor bondy, what is your

[4:11:45] wish

[4:11:45] wish?

[4:11:45] >> may I please receive and approve

[4:11:46] approve.

[4:11:46] >> moved by councilor bondy to

[4:11:50] receive

[4:11:50] receive and approve.

[4:11:51] second -- seconder?

[4:11:53] deputy warden.

[4:11:55] any discussion on the motion?

[4:11:58] seeing none, I will ask you to

[4:12:00] vote

[4:12:00] vote electronically.

[4:12:00] that is carried.

[4:12:11] thank you.

[4:12:11] thanks, adam.

[4:12:14] thank you, finance team.

[4:12:18] next up, we have general government

[4:12:23] government services.

[4:12:23] for that report, we have melissa

[4:12:24] ryan,

[4:12:25] ryan, our director of financial

[4:12:32] services

[4:12:32] services and treasury.

[4:12:33] we have david something, our director

[4:12:35] director of legal legislative.

[4:12:36]

[4:12:36] darrell la ronde oh, our director

[4:12:39] director of I.t. Information and

[4:12:40] we

[4:12:40] we have -- are we going to have

[4:12:44] danielle

[4:12:44] danielle or are you going to do

[4:12:45] that

[4:12:46] that?

[4:12:46] danielle is going to do it.

[4:12:47] okay.

[4:12:47] interim director human resources

[4:12:48] resources.

[4:12:48] but there is no chair for you.

[4:12:51]

[4:12:51] we are going to switch.

[4:12:57] perfect.

[4:12:57] over to you.

[4:12:58] >> thank you.

[4:12:58] the next department for discussion

[4:13:02] discussion is the general government

[4:13:03] government services area.

[4:13:04] for this presentation of the warden

[4:13:06] warden alluded to, the four directors

[4:13:08] directors will present each representing

[4:13:09] representing their respective

[4:13:10] areas

[4:13:10] areas.

[4:13:10] the general government department

[4:13:13] department is made up of several

[4:13:14] key

[4:13:15] key divisions that provide the

[4:13:16] backbone

[4:13:16] backbone of county operations.

[4:13:17]

[4:13:17] as a whole, this department plays

[4:13:19] plays a strategic role offering

[4:13:21] leadership

[4:13:21] leadership, legal and financial

[4:13:22] guidance

[4:13:23] guidance and setting policies

[4:13:24] that

[4:13:24] that support all county services

[4:13:25] services.

[4:13:25] the council services budget couples --

[4:13:28] couples -- covers council remuneration

[4:13:29] remuneration and all related expenses

[4:13:30] expenses, corporate management

[4:13:31] includes

[4:13:32] includes the ceos office and legislative

[4:13:34] legislative services which handles

[4:13:35] handles legal matters, records

[4:13:36] management

[4:13:36] management, medication and organizational

[4:13:39] organizational development.

[4:13:39] financial services also oversees

[4:13:41] procurement

[4:13:41] procurement while information

[4:13:42] technology

[4:13:42] technology and tune resources

[4:13:43] round

[4:13:43] round out the team providing essential

[4:13:45] essential systems, tools and support

[4:13:46] support across the organization

[4:13:47] .

[4:13:47] as you can see on this slide,

[4:13:57] the

[4:13:57] the overall general government

[4:13:57] area

[4:13:58] area shows an increase of just

[4:13:59] over

[4:13:59] over 1 million, bringing the total

[4:14:00] total net department total requirement

[4:14:01] requirement to just over 9.5 million.

[4:14:02] requirement to just over 9.5 million.

[4:14:02] this change reflects adjustments

[4:14:03] across

[4:14:03] across all four divisions within

[4:14:04] the

[4:14:04] the department.

[4:14:05] at this point, I will turn things

[4:14:06] things over to mr. David something

[4:14:07] something, our director of legislative

[4:14:08] legislative and community services

[4:14:09] services, county solicitors walk

[4:14:10] through

[4:14:10] through his area in more detail

[4:14:11] .

[4:14:11] >> corporate management reflects

[4:14:16] the

[4:14:16] the combined operations of both

[4:14:17] the

[4:14:18] the office of the cao and the

[4:14:19] legislative

[4:14:19] legislative and legal services

[4:14:20] department

[4:14:20] department.

[4:14:20] the draft budget before council

[4:14:23] is

[4:14:23] is very much a status quo budget

[4:14:25] from

[4:14:25] from my department's perspective

[4:14:26] perspective.

[4:14:26] we are not seeking any additional

[4:14:28] additional amounts.

[4:14:29] in fact, there's a 15.5% decrease

[4:14:30] decrease in the court manage --

[4:14:32] or

[4:14:33] or budget which is a $430,000

[4:14:36] decrease

[4:14:36] decrease.

[4:14:36] that reduction is due to staffing

[4:14:37] staffing, realignment and a new

[4:14:39] admission

[4:14:40] admission ration cost recovery

[4:14:40] .

[4:14:40] that's being said, there are two

[4:14:43] business

[4:14:43] business cases at appendix three

[4:14:44] that

[4:14:45] that I would be happy to take

[4:14:46] any

[4:14:46] any questions on.

[4:14:47] in 2026, now that's a number of

[4:14:51] departmental

[4:14:51] departmental changes have been

[4:14:52] implemented

[4:14:52] implemented in the past two years

[4:14:54] years, corporate management will

[4:14:54] continue

[4:14:55] continue to focus on being a dependable

[4:14:58] dependable resource other county

[4:14:58] departments

[4:14:59] departments and across the region

[4:15:00] region.

[4:15:00] we provide support to other departments

[4:15:06] departments in county but we are

[4:15:07] also

[4:15:07] also hereto and I think we do

[4:15:09] supports

[4:15:09] supports council.

[4:15:09] for the -- pass number of years

[4:15:11] , the

[4:15:12] the corporate management group

[4:15:13] has

[4:15:13] has become a resource that local

[4:15:16] municipalities

[4:15:16] municipalities rely on for sharing

[4:15:17] sharing ideas, best practices

[4:15:20] and

[4:15:20] and promoting everyone working

[4:15:20] together

[4:15:21] together as a region.

[4:15:21] this is the case of the county

[4:15:24] cao

[4:15:24] cao taking lead in regular meetings

[4:15:26] meetings.

[4:15:26] the county clerk taking a regular

[4:15:28] regular meeting with local clerks

[4:15:29] clerks.

[4:15:29] and the county's lister and deputy

[4:15:31] deputy solicitor recently taken

[4:15:32] the

[4:15:32] the lead in ensuring the legal

[4:15:33] departments

[4:15:34] departments and the county meet

[4:15:34] regularly

[4:15:35] regularly.

[4:15:35] this work was already underway

[4:15:39] prior

[4:15:39] prior to this plan being adopted

[4:15:40] adopted.

[4:15:40] with that plan in place, we recognize

[4:15:43] recognize the importance of focusing

[4:15:44] focusing on this work to ensure

[4:15:45] that

[4:15:45] that we are advancing the strategic

[4:15:47] strategic goals of working as

[4:15:49] team

[4:15:49] team essex county, and growing

[4:15:50] as

[4:15:50] as leaders in public service excellence

[4:15:52] excellence.

[4:15:52] one of the other strategic direction

[4:15:56] direction set by council is the

[4:15:57] county

[4:15:57] county should focus on being an

[4:15:59] employer

[4:16:00] employer with impacts.

[4:16:01] the communication division will

[4:16:01] take

[4:16:02] take the lead on employing excellence

[4:16:04] excellence awards and ensuring

[4:16:05] long

[4:16:05] long service is acknowledged,

[4:16:08] refining

[4:16:08] refining existing engagement opportunities

[4:16:09] opportunities and reviewing the

[4:16:11] recently

[4:16:11] recently completed employee engagement

[4:16:12] engagement survey.

[4:16:12] further, the strategic plan also

[4:16:16] calls

[4:16:17] calls for advancing truth and

[4:16:18] reconciliation

[4:16:18] reconciliation at the county.

[4:16:19] relations with indigenous communities

[4:16:20] communities built in our area.

[4:16:21]

[4:16:21] it will advance key strategic

[4:16:25] goal

[4:16:25] goal, the county taking steps

[4:16:27] to engage

[4:16:27] engage a consultant to assist

[4:16:28] in developing

[4:16:29] developing a plan to ensure we

[4:16:30] are

[4:16:30] are meeting our obligations to

[4:16:31] our

[4:16:32] our indigenous peoples.

[4:16:32] it's anticipated the plan will

[4:16:33] be

[4:16:33] be ready for council's review

[4:16:35] in 2026.

[4:16:35] in 2021, the county had a consultant

[4:16:41] consultant review the county's

[4:16:42] records

[4:16:43] records and information management

[4:16:43] management program.

[4:16:44] as that plan, a review is outdated

[4:16:48] outdated and budgetary pressures

[4:16:49] prevented

[4:16:49] prevented the county from implementing

[4:16:50] implementing some of those key

[4:16:51] recommendations

[4:16:51] recommendations.

[4:16:51] the environment for how records

[4:16:55] are

[4:16:56] are stored electronically has

[4:16:57] changed

[4:16:57] changed significantly since then

[4:16:58] then.

[4:16:58] a review of the plan will be completed

[4:17:00] completed in 2026.

[4:17:00] the goal is to ensure our records

[4:17:03] records management plan is appropriate

[4:17:04] appropriate and builds on the

[4:17:06] county

[4:17:06] county's commitment to effective

[4:17:07] records

[4:17:08] records management and insurers

[4:17:09] organize

[4:17:09] organize and secure management

[4:17:10] of

[4:17:10] of critical information.

[4:17:11] with sets, I will throw it over

[4:17:18] to

[4:17:18] to melissa.

[4:17:18] >> thank you.

[4:17:22] financial services has another

[4:17:23] busy

[4:17:23] busy year ahead, as we continue

[4:17:25] modernizing

[4:17:25] modernizing how we do business

[4:17:26] .

[4:17:26] a lot of the big foundational

[4:17:28] work

[4:17:28] work started in 2025 and in 2026

[4:17:29] we

[4:17:30] we will be putting it into motion

[4:17:32] motion, especially with the rollout

[4:17:33] rollout of the new budget software

[4:17:34] software to utilize for the 2027

[4:17:36] county

[4:17:36] county budget and the continuing

[4:17:37] modules

[4:17:37] modules over a new human resources

[4:17:39] resources information system a

[4:17:40] form

[4:17:40] form.

[4:17:40] of these tools make budgeting

[4:17:42] and

[4:17:42] and financial planning easier,

[4:17:43] clear

[4:17:44] clear and more efficient for everyone

[4:17:45] everyone across the organization

[4:17:46] organization.

[4:17:46] it will also keep focusing on

[4:17:48] the

[4:17:48] the things that strengthen the

[4:17:49] county

[4:17:49] county's long-term financial position

[4:17:50] position, helping departments

[4:17:52] with

[4:17:52] with deeper financial analysis

[4:17:53] , more

[4:17:54] more strategic procurement report

[4:17:54] report -- support and making sure

[4:17:55] sure we get good value for the

[4:17:57] contracts

[4:17:58] contracts we enter into.

[4:17:59] all the behind-the-scenes work

[4:18:00] that

[4:18:01] that protects the levee and supports

[4:18:02] supports good decision-making.

[4:18:02] one of the bigger items in this

[4:18:05] years

[4:18:05] years finance budget is the 1 million-dollar

[4:18:07] 1 million-dollar contribution

[4:18:07] toward

[4:18:07] toward the ems hub and capital

[4:18:09] plan

[4:18:09] plan.

[4:18:09] this is a levy funded item exactly

[4:18:12] exactly in line with the funding

[4:18:13] model

[4:18:14] model council received in august

[4:18:14] august.

[4:18:14] it keeps us on track so when we

[4:18:17] move

[4:18:17] move forward with these land purchases

[4:18:19] purchases, design and construction

[4:18:20] construction, the reserve capacity

[4:18:20] capacity will be in place or at

[4:18:22] the

[4:18:23] the very least we have a plan

[4:18:25] to replenish

[4:18:25] replenish what is being depleted

[4:18:26] depleted.

[4:18:26] a quick note on internal recoveries

[4:18:28] recoveries, you will see movement

[4:18:30] movement between general government

[4:18:30] government departments this year

[4:18:31] year.

[4:18:31] that's mainly reallocating cost

[4:18:32] where

[4:18:33] where they more accurately live

[4:18:35] .

[4:18:35] it looks busy but doesn't change

[4:18:37] the

[4:18:37] the overall amounts.

[4:18:38] for example, there was -- there

[4:18:40] were

[4:18:41] were legal recoveries previously

[4:18:42] housed

[4:18:42] housed in finance however they

[4:18:44] were

[4:18:44] were moved to the corporate management

[4:18:45] management area to reflect support

[4:18:46] support they provide to other

[4:18:48] departments

[4:18:48] departments.

[4:18:48] finally, one small comment, earlier

[4:18:51] earlier this year presented a

[4:18:52] report

[4:18:52] report on the county's credit

[4:18:54] rating

[4:18:54] rating as there was -- questions

[4:18:55] about

[4:18:55] about the cost benefit of this

[4:18:57] exercise

[4:18:58] exercise.

[4:18:58] there are no dollars included

[4:18:59] in the

[4:18:59] the draft budget for the credit

[4:19:01] rating

[4:19:01] rating report at this time.

[4:19:02] if council wants to added back

[4:19:03] in

[4:19:04] in, that certainly can be done

[4:19:05] at

[4:19:05] at the end of the meeting today

[4:19:07] .

[4:19:07] otherwise, there is the 2025 report

[4:19:09] report which you saw on the consent

[4:19:11] consent agenda.

[4:19:11] the county did receive a aaa credit

[4:19:13] credit rating so that will hold

[4:19:15] until

[4:19:15] until the annual process is due

[4:19:17] for

[4:19:17] for renewal.

[4:19:17] at that time, I would advise smp

[4:19:20] we

[4:19:20] we will not continue with the

[4:19:22] credit

[4:19:22] credit rating process.

[4:19:22] with that, I turn it over to daryl

[4:19:26] daryl, our director of information

[4:19:27] information technology.

[4:19:27] >> thank you.

[4:19:27] thank you for giving me the opportunity

[4:19:31] opportunity to speak with you

[4:19:33] today

[4:19:33] today about the proposed 2026

[4:19:35] information

[4:19:35] information technology services

[4:19:36] budget

[4:19:36] budget.

[4:19:36] I would like to start by acknowledging

[4:19:38] acknowledging the hard work of

[4:19:39] the

[4:19:40] the small but mighty I.t. Team

[4:19:41] that

[4:19:41] that made 2025 a successful year

[4:19:44] for

[4:19:44] for our department, particularly

[4:19:45] in

[4:19:46] in advancing several key initiatives

[4:19:47] initiatives.

[4:19:47] in july 2025, we took another

[4:19:51] step

[4:19:51] step toward centralizing our service

[4:19:52] service delivery model by onboarding

[4:19:54] onboarding our business analyst

[4:19:54] .

[4:19:54] since then, we've made significant

[4:19:57] significant progress in understanding

[4:19:58] understanding our application

[4:19:59] landscape

[4:19:59] landscape, our data structures

[4:20:00] and

[4:20:00] and how our employees use our

[4:20:03] systems

[4:20:03] systems.

[4:20:03] we've already seen immediate results

[4:20:04] results for bringing in the business

[4:20:08] business world into the organization

[4:20:09] organization, especially project

[4:20:10] engagement

[4:20:11] engagement and helping move several

[4:20:12] several initiatives across the

[4:20:12] finish

[4:20:13] finish line.

[4:20:13] in early 2025, we also implemented

[4:20:17] implemented and launched our managed

[4:20:19] managed detection and response

[4:20:20] system

[4:20:20] system service through field effects

[4:20:21] effects in partnership with tell

[4:20:22] us

[4:20:22] us work this investment has already

[4:20:24] already paid dividends as our

[4:20:28] modern

[4:20:28] modern provider alerted us to

[4:20:30] attempted

[4:20:30] attempted logins from russian

[4:20:31] threat

[4:20:31] threat actors trying to access

[4:20:33] our

[4:20:33] our environment.

[4:20:34] this validated the importance

[4:20:36] and

[4:20:36] and urgency of enhancing our cybersecurity

[4:20:37] cybersecurity initiatives.

[4:20:37] in the third quarter of 2025,

[4:20:42] we upgraded

[4:20:42] upgraded our firewall, which was

[4:20:43] long

[4:20:43] long overdue replacement.

[4:20:44] this upgrade has allowed us to

[4:20:49] implement

[4:20:49] implement stronger security controls

[4:20:50] controls, including geo-fencing

[4:20:51] and

[4:20:51] and stricter access rules, helping

[4:20:53] helping us better protect the

[4:20:54] county

[4:20:54] county's environment.

[4:20:55] we also made strategic staffing

[4:20:58] improvements

[4:20:58] improvements this year.

[4:20:58] one of our help desk analyst positions

[4:21:01] positions was reclassified into

[4:21:02] a

[4:21:02] a help desk lead role.

[4:21:03] this change has strengthened our

[4:21:05] ability

[4:21:06] ability to coordinate daily operations

[4:21:08] operations, assigned tasks effectively

[4:21:09] effectively, and ensure urgent

[4:21:11] issues

[4:21:11] issues are prioritized appropriately

[4:21:12] appropriately.

[4:21:12] finally, this quarter has been

[4:21:15] especially

[4:21:15] especially exciting as we successfully

[4:21:16] successfully advanced our microsoft

[4:21:17] microsoft 365 project.

[4:21:19] over the past few weeks, we have

[4:21:22] onboarding

[4:21:22] onboarding staff to exchange online

[4:21:23] online, implemented teams and

[4:21:24] enabled

[4:21:24] enabled cloud-based collaboration

[4:21:25] collaboration tools.

[4:21:25] we are now moving into the design

[4:21:29] design phase of our sharepoint

[4:21:31] environment

[4:21:31] environment with targeted implementation

[4:21:32] implementation in the first and

[4:21:33] second

[4:21:33] second quarters of 2026.

[4:21:35] thank you to council for your

[4:21:37] support

[4:21:37] support of these initiatives in

[4:21:38] 2025.

[4:21:38] in 2026, we continue advancing

[4:21:43] the

[4:21:43] the work recommended through the

[4:21:44] 2023

[4:21:46] 2023 service delivery review.

[4:21:47] in the proposed budget, you will

[4:21:49] see

[4:21:49] see line items related to improving

[4:21:52] improving network availability

[4:21:52] , dependability

[4:21:53] dependability and software and

[4:21:54] service

[4:21:54] service monitoring tools.

[4:21:55] these tools will allow us to better

[4:21:58] better monitor the performance

[4:22:00] of

[4:22:00] of our environment, proactively

[4:22:01] detect

[4:22:01] detect issues and receive alerts

[4:22:02] before

[4:22:03] before outages occur.

[4:22:03] if systems or services go down

[4:22:07] , our

[4:22:07] our enhanced visibility will ensure

[4:22:09] ensure we are aware of the issues

[4:22:11] issues immediately and are able

[4:22:13] to

[4:22:13] to respond before users are able

[4:22:14] to

[4:22:15] to report on these issues.

[4:22:16] in addition, we will continue

[4:22:19] exploring

[4:22:19] exploring efficiency tools recommended

[4:22:21] recommended through the service

[4:22:22] delivery

[4:22:22] delivery review, particularly

[4:22:23] those

[4:22:23] those that are now available to

[4:22:25] us

[4:22:25] us through our recent microsoft

[4:22:26] 365

[4:22:26] 365 migration.

[4:22:26] as part of the county's mission

[4:22:29] , the

[4:22:30] the I.t. Department will strengthen

[4:22:31] strengthen relationships with

[4:22:32] other

[4:22:32] other I.t. Departments in the

[4:22:36] region

[4:22:36] region as well as other locals

[4:22:37] thought

[4:22:38] thought leaders, building this

[4:22:39] community

[4:22:39] community of practice will help

[4:22:40] us

[4:22:41] us.

[4:22:41] knowledge, align emerging best

[4:22:43] practices

[4:22:43] practices and implement solutions

[4:22:45] solutions that benefit the broader

[4:22:46] broader region.

[4:22:47] finally, we will continue our

[4:22:49] cloud

[4:22:49] cloud migration journey.

[4:22:49] now that the county is operating

[4:22:51] on

[4:22:51] on microsoft 365, we will further

[4:22:54] further embrace cloud services

[4:22:55] to

[4:22:55] to support and improve service

[4:22:57] delivery

[4:22:57] delivery.

[4:22:57] in this budget, you will see references

[4:23:00] references to our as were environment

[4:23:02] environment, now rebranded by

[4:23:03] microsoft

[4:23:03] microsoft as microsoft entre.

[4:23:04] this transition is important as

[4:23:08] it

[4:23:08] it will enable greater administrative

[4:23:09] administrative control, stronger

[4:23:11] governance

[4:23:11] governance and improve protection

[4:23:11] protection from threat actors.

[4:23:12]

[4:23:12] the current slide identifies business

[4:23:18] business cases I.t. Submitted

[4:23:19] for

[4:23:19] for consideration.

[4:23:19] if there are any questions, I'm

[4:23:20] happy

[4:23:20] happy to answer them at the end

[4:23:22] of

[4:23:22] of these presentations.

[4:23:23] but we will continue to strengthen

[4:23:26] strengthen our cybersecurity posture

[4:23:27] posture.

[4:23:27] this includes ongoing initiatives

[4:23:28] initiatives such as our no before

[4:23:31] before security awareness training

[4:23:31] training program, which will remain

[4:23:32] remain a core component to our

[4:23:36] defence

[4:23:37] defence strategy.

[4:23:37] we will also be upgrading our

[4:23:39] mobile

[4:23:39] mobile device management platform

[4:23:39] platform.

[4:23:39] this upgrade will improve our

[4:23:44] management

[4:23:44] management capabilities while

[4:23:45] also

[4:23:45] also providing cost savings for

[4:23:46] the

[4:23:46] the organization.

[4:23:47] we will be performing additional

[4:23:50] network

[4:23:50] network upgrades throughout the

[4:23:52] year

[4:23:52] year, enabling improved monitoring

[4:23:53] monitoring of our network quality

[4:23:54] quality access device management

[4:23:54] management.

[4:23:54] in 2025, the county also created

[4:23:59] an

[4:23:59] an ai policy and is working on

[4:24:01] an

[4:24:02] an ai framework.

[4:24:02] building on that momentum, one

[4:24:04] of

[4:24:04] of our top parties for 2026 is

[4:24:06] run

[4:24:06] run an ai productivity pilot in

[4:24:09] the

[4:24:09] the county.

[4:24:09] now the work really operating

[4:24:11] within

[4:24:11] within the microsoft 365 environment

[4:24:13] environment, we plan to work with

[4:24:15] with approximately 25 users who

[4:24:16] will

[4:24:17] will be identified early in the

[4:24:18] new

[4:24:18] new year to evaluate how the paid

[4:24:20] paid version of microsoft pilot

[4:24:21] can

[4:24:21] can help reduce time spent on

[4:24:23] routine

[4:24:23] routine task and improve our overall

[4:24:25] overall productivity.

[4:24:26] we will also continue our full

[4:24:28] transition

[4:24:28] transition into the microsoft

[4:24:32] 365

[4:24:32] 365 ecosystem, by establishing

[4:24:32] our

[4:24:33] our sharepoint environment.

[4:24:33] this will expand our ability to

[4:24:36] support

[4:24:37] support asynchronous and synchronous

[4:24:38] synchronous collaboration across

[4:24:39] employees

[4:24:40] employees, teams, departments

[4:24:41] and

[4:24:41] and partner organizations.

[4:24:41] thank you very much.

[4:24:44] I will handed over to danielle

[4:24:45] lappage

[4:24:45] lappage.

[4:24:45] >> thank you, worden.

[4:24:53] through you to county council,

[4:24:55] to

[4:24:55] to strengthen the service delivery

[4:24:57] delivery and meet increasing operational

[4:24:59] operational demands, the 2026

[4:25:01] budget

[4:25:01] budget includes two new hr positions

[4:25:04] positions, a shared human resource

[4:25:05] resource generalist to support

[4:25:06] ems

[4:25:06] ems and sun parlor homes and a

[4:25:09] human

[4:25:10] human resources assistant to facilitate

[4:25:11] facilitate the implementation

[4:25:13] and

[4:25:13] and administration of the redesigned

[4:25:14] redesigned attendant support policy

[4:25:16] policy.

[4:25:16] together, these additions will

[4:25:19] enhance

[4:25:19] enhance recruitment, compliance

[4:25:20] and

[4:25:21] and employee support across the

[4:25:22] corporation

[4:25:23] corporation helping to optimize

[4:25:24] the

[4:25:24] the potential of every employee

[4:25:26] and

[4:25:26] and ensure sustainable service

[4:25:27] delivery

[4:25:27] delivery.

[4:25:27] this slide outlines hr's priorities

[4:25:35] priorities for 2026 for collective

[4:25:37] collective bargaining in 2026,

[4:25:39] hr

[4:25:40] hr will engage in collective bargaining

[4:25:41] bargaining with 5 of 6 union groups

[4:25:43] groups.

[4:25:43] this will be a key area of focus

[4:25:45] focus,

[4:25:45] focus, particularly for the first half

[4:25:46] first half of the year.

[4:25:48] our objective is to engage in

[4:25:51] respectful

[4:25:51] respectful, collaborative negotiations

[4:25:52] negotiations that recognize the

[4:25:54] valuable

[4:25:54] valuable contributions of the

[4:25:55] workforce

[4:25:55] workforce while ensuring fiscal

[4:25:56] sustainability

[4:25:56] sustainability.

[4:25:56] building on the recruitment enhancements

[4:25:58] enhancements meet in 2025, hr

[4:26:02] will

[4:26:02] will continue to strengthen strategies

[4:26:03] strategies that attract and retain

[4:26:04] retain diverse, skilled and motivated

[4:26:09] motivated employees.

[4:26:09] will refine onboarding processes

[4:26:10] processes,

[4:26:10] processes, that has the candidate

[4:26:12] candidate experience and ensure

[4:26:13] equity

[4:26:13] equity and accessibility at every

[4:26:14] every stage.

[4:26:15] in addition, we will continue

[4:26:16] to assess

[4:26:18] assess compensation and benefit

[4:26:20] offerings

[4:26:20] offerings to maintain competitiveness

[4:26:21] competitiveness in the labor market

[4:26:22] market.

[4:26:22] for employee development and training

[4:26:25] training in 2026, we will continue

[4:26:28] continue to expand leadership

[4:26:29] and

[4:26:29] and professional development opportunities

[4:26:30] opportunities, including the quarterly

[4:26:33] quarterly leadership meetings

[4:26:34] to strengthen

[4:26:34] strengthen organizational capacity

[4:26:35] capacity and support long-term

[4:26:36] success

[4:26:36] success.

[4:26:36] in 2026, the implementation of

[4:26:42] the

[4:26:42] the refreshed attendance support

[4:26:43] policy

[4:26:43] policy will be a major focus,

[4:26:45] providing

[4:26:45] providing a proactive and supportive

[4:26:47] supportive framework for addressing

[4:26:48] addressing attendance concerns

[4:26:49] and

[4:26:50] and encouraging open communication

[4:26:50] communication between employees

[4:26:51] and

[4:26:51] and leaders.

[4:26:51] a positive and inclusive culture

[4:26:56] is

[4:26:56] is a foundational to employee

[4:26:58] engagement

[4:26:58] engagement and retention.

[4:26:58] building on a culture -- building

[4:27:02] building on the culture conversations

[4:27:03] conversations initiated in 2025,

[4:27:04] hr

[4:27:04] hr will lead the next phase of

[4:27:06] this

[4:27:07] this work in 2026, expanding discussions

[4:27:09] discussions countywide to reinforce

[4:27:11] reinforce shared values, expectations

[4:27:13] expectations and daily practices

[4:27:14] that

[4:27:14] that contribute to a respectful

[4:27:15] and

[4:27:15] and collaborative workplace.

[4:27:16] ensuring policies remain current

[4:27:20] current,

[4:27:20] current, compliant and reflective

[4:27:22] reflective of best practices will

[4:27:23] will continue to be a key priority

[4:27:25] priority.

[4:27:25] hr will continue to take systemic

[4:27:26] systemic policy reviews and updates

[4:27:29] updates to align with the evolving

[4:27:30] evolving legislation and county

[4:27:31] operations

[4:27:31] operations.

[4:27:31] following the successful implementation

[4:27:35] implementation of the new human

[4:27:37] resource

[4:27:37] resource information system in

[4:27:38] 2025

[4:27:39] 2025, the 2026 focus includes

[4:27:42] deploying

[4:27:42] deploying the workforce management

[4:27:43] management and scheduling module

[4:27:45] to

[4:27:45] to improve integration and enable

[4:27:46] enable data-driven insights for

[4:27:47] workforce

[4:27:47] workforce planning.

[4:27:47] finally, from a health and safety

[4:27:51] safety and emergency management

[4:27:52] perspective

[4:27:52] perspective, as the county grows

[4:27:54] grows,

[4:27:54] grows, hr will continue to strengthen

[4:27:55] strengthen its health and safety

[4:27:57] and

[4:27:57] and emergency programs to ensure

[4:27:59] all

[4:27:59] all workplaces meet or exceed

[4:28:01] regulatory

[4:28:01] regulatory requirements.

[4:28:01] we will have targeted training

[4:28:03] , especially

[4:28:03] especially in emergency management

[4:28:05] management, and continue to promote

[4:28:07] promote a culture of shared responsibility

[4:28:08] responsibility for workplace safety

[4:28:09] safety.

[4:28:09] with that, over to you.

[4:28:11] >> that concludes the general

[4:28:19] general government

[4:28:19] general government area.

[4:28:20] if anyone has any questions for

[4:28:22] any

[4:28:22] any of the directors, please feel

[4:28:23] feel free to ask at this time.

[4:28:25]

[4:28:25] >> thank you.

[4:28:27] are there questions?

[4:28:28] we start with councilor prue.

[4:28:30] >> thank you.

[4:28:30] I have two questions.

[4:28:32] the first has to do with truth

[4:28:34] and

[4:28:34] and reconciliation.

[4:28:35] I noticed that that was one of

[4:28:37] the

[4:28:38] the elements that's going to be

[4:28:39] dealt

[4:28:39] dealt with this year.

[4:28:40] can you tell me with whom are

[4:28:43] you

[4:28:43] you going to deal in developing

[4:28:44] this

[4:28:45] this process?

[4:28:45] I would take it probably caldwell

[4:28:48] caldwell first nations and may

[4:28:49] be

[4:28:49] be another.

[4:28:50] is there anyone else on that list

[4:28:51] list that will be first -- that

[4:28:52] will

[4:28:53] will be consulted?

[4:28:53] >> we are -- it may have been

[4:28:59] issued

[4:28:59] issued today or yesterday, an

[4:29:00] rfp

[4:29:00] rfp to find a consultant to assist

[4:29:02] assist us.

[4:29:02] in advance of that, letters were

[4:29:05] sent

[4:29:06] sent out to caldwell first first nation

[4:29:07] first nation, and indigenous group

[4:29:07] group at the university of windsor

[4:29:09] windsor and they can then friendship

[4:29:12] friendship centre so the three

[4:29:13] local

[4:29:13] local indigenous groups that we

[4:29:17] are

[4:29:18] are aware of have received letters

[4:29:19] letters from us, asking that they

[4:29:20] they participate in the process

[4:29:21] .

[4:29:21] >> are there any other groups

[4:29:27] that

[4:29:27] that you may want to use?

[4:29:29] I'm just thinking in terms of

[4:29:32] some

[4:29:32] some of the work that some of

[4:29:35] them

[4:29:35] them do.

[4:29:35] there are groups out there that

[4:29:36] you

[4:29:37] you provide child care.

[4:29:37] there out there that provide help

[4:29:41] help for older people, for poverty

[4:29:42] poverty reduction, for a number

[4:29:46] of

[4:29:46] of things that are aboriginal

[4:29:47] base

[4:29:47] base.

[4:29:47] are you dealing with any of them

[4:29:49] them?

[4:29:49] >> I think the vision was, once

[4:29:53] we

[4:29:53] we have a consultant in place,

[4:29:55] we

[4:29:55] we will for grow two we should

[4:29:57] be

[4:29:57] be involving in the process.

[4:29:58] we thought it was appropriate

[4:29:59] to ensure

[4:29:59] ensure that those in the region

[4:30:01] who

[4:30:03] who are recognized indigenous

[4:30:04] groups

[4:30:04] groups should be advised in advance

[4:30:08] advance, and that's why rewrote

[4:30:09] to

[4:30:09] to caldwell first nation and the

[4:30:12] two

[4:30:12] two other groups in the city.

[4:30:13] >> are they going to advise on

[4:30:18] the

[4:30:18] the person to conduct the study

[4:30:19] or

[4:30:20] or are they part of the study?

[4:30:21] >> they have been asked to participate

[4:30:26] participate in the process and

[4:30:27] that

[4:30:28] that the rfp was being issued.

[4:30:29]

[4:30:29] >> that would be my question.

[4:30:31] but I do have a question for someone

[4:30:34] someone else.

[4:30:34] >> any other questions?

[4:30:38] I will go to councilor rogers

[4:30:47] and

[4:30:47] and then come back to you.

[4:30:48] >> may be a clarification piece

[4:30:50] on

[4:30:51] on the truth and reconciliation

[4:30:52] .

[4:30:52] I believe there are 21 steps within

[4:30:58] within the municipality as far

[4:30:59] as

[4:30:59] as the road to truth and reconciliation

[4:31:02] reconciliation.

[4:31:02] maybe if you could comment on

[4:31:07] that

[4:31:07] that item, where we're at as far

[4:31:08] as

[4:31:08] as those steps.

[4:31:09] I understand we want to be respectful

[4:31:11] respectful and ensure we are taking

[4:31:12] taking those steps but there is

[4:31:13] a

[4:31:13] a booklet that says what municipalities

[4:31:15] municipalities should be doing

[4:31:15] .

[4:31:15] if we are not doing those items

[4:31:18] first,

[4:31:18] first, to me it doesn't make sense

[4:31:20] sense to reach out and find more

[4:31:21] items

[4:31:21] items that we should be doing

[4:31:23] before

[4:31:23] before something that's actually

[4:31:24] been

[4:31:24] been documented for us to do first.

[4:31:26] been documented for us to do first.

[4:31:26] >> we have limited capabilities

[4:31:32] here

[4:31:32] here at this stage to know what

[4:31:35] we

[4:31:35] we should be doing going forward

[4:31:36] forward.

[4:31:36] that's the purpose of bringing

[4:31:38] in

[4:31:38] in a consultant to say what should

[4:31:39] should the county be doing?

[4:31:41] this year, for example, I'm not

[4:31:42] sure

[4:31:42] sure when we started the process

[4:31:45] but

[4:31:45] but we do land to him -- land

[4:31:48] acknowledgements

[4:31:48] acknowledgements at council meetings

[4:31:49] meetings.

[4:31:49] we ensure truth and reconciliation

[4:31:50] reconciliation day that there

[4:31:53] is an

[4:31:53] an event here at the county to

[4:31:55] recognize

[4:31:55] recognize that.

[4:31:56] we are doing what we can do.

[4:31:57] but now we are going to come up

[4:32:00] to

[4:32:00] to a fulsome plan specific to

[4:32:03] the

[4:32:03] the county with our local indigenous

[4:32:04] indigenous partners.

[4:32:04] >> further three you, madame worden

[4:32:10] worden, we are using that book

[4:32:11] for

[4:32:11] for reference, and again I think

[4:32:14] it's

[4:32:14] it's 21 items, 20 items.

[4:32:15] you mentioned a couple of them

[4:32:17] but

[4:32:17] but there were more items there

[4:32:19] .

[4:32:19] so my question is is that's going

[4:32:21] going to be a consultant going

[4:32:23] to

[4:32:23] to tell us the other items that

[4:32:24] have

[4:32:25] have to be done when we already

[4:32:26] have

[4:32:26] have the information.

[4:32:27] my point is we have information

[4:32:29] , we

[4:32:30] we haven't may be completed anything

[4:32:31] anything on that list.

[4:32:32] what's the point of bringing in

[4:32:34] another

[4:32:34] another consultant when there

[4:32:35] is still

[4:32:35] still work to be done?

[4:32:36] maybe it's a question for the

[4:32:38] cao

[4:32:38] cao?

[4:32:38] >> the rfp we have is to develop

[4:32:45] truth

[4:32:45] truth and reconciliation action

[4:32:46] plan

[4:32:46] plan.

[4:32:46] the foundation of that action

[4:32:49] plan

[4:32:49] plan are those directed steps

[4:32:51] that

[4:32:51] that municipalities across the

[4:32:52] province

[4:32:53] province are required to engage

[4:32:54] in

[4:32:55] in.

[4:32:55] the consultant is going to take

[4:32:56] an

[4:32:56] an inventory of the things we

[4:32:58] are

[4:32:58] are already doing and see what

[4:32:59] boxes

[4:32:59] boxes we are achieving and highlight

[4:33:02] highlight for us to things that

[4:33:03] we

[4:33:03] we are falling short on or build

[4:33:05] us

[4:33:05] us a plan in both short and long-term

[4:33:07] long-term of how the county can

[4:33:08] move

[4:33:08] move toward full compliance with

[4:33:12] those

[4:33:13] those directions and steps as

[4:33:14] the

[4:33:14] the director said, it's going

[4:33:16] to be

[4:33:16] be specific to the county of essex

[4:33:18] essex and the work that we do

[4:33:19] here

[4:33:19] here at the minister polity.

[4:33:20] but also, the summer, we had representatives

[4:33:24] representatives from amo come

[4:33:25] because

[4:33:25] because as an organization, they

[4:33:26] have

[4:33:26] have also undertaken this work

[4:33:28] .

[4:33:28] we wanted to make sure that our

[4:33:30] rfp

[4:33:30] rfp was informed by the work of

[4:33:32] amo

[4:33:32] amo that we are not duplicating

[4:33:34] things

[4:33:34] things as well.

[4:33:35] so certainly to your point, there

[4:33:36] there are a number of foundational

[4:33:37] foundational pieces we need to

[4:33:38] consider

[4:33:39] consider.

[4:33:39] the scope of the work for the

[4:33:42] rfp

[4:33:42] rfp for the consultant asked the

[4:33:43] consultant

[4:33:44] consultant to look at those foundational

[4:33:45] foundational pieces in light of

[4:33:46] what

[4:33:46] what we are currently doing, where

[4:33:47] where we have gaps and help us

[4:33:49] build

[4:33:50] build a plan to action ourselves

[4:33:51] towards

[4:33:52] towards compliance on both the

[4:33:53] short

[4:33:53] short and long-term basis.

[4:33:54] >> may be final, I appreciate

[4:33:58] that

[4:33:58] that, I want to make sure, there

[4:34:00] have

[4:34:00] have been steps put out there

[4:34:01] for

[4:34:01] for us to follow and they want

[4:34:03] to

[4:34:03] to make sure that that is the

[4:34:05] guidebook

[4:34:05] guidebook and the path that we

[4:34:06] are

[4:34:06] are following moving forward.

[4:34:07] so thank you.

[4:34:07] >> thank you.

[4:34:08] councilor waldstedt.

[4:34:13] >> a couple of things.

[4:34:15] the first is on the same topic

[4:34:17] .

[4:34:17] if everything is laid out by the

[4:34:20] province

[4:34:20] province of the federal government

[4:34:21] government with respect to this

[4:34:22] issue

[4:34:22] issue, and I see we are budgeting

[4:34:27] budgeting $226, 226,000 to tell

[4:34:32] us

[4:34:32] us to go over it and double check

[4:34:34] check it to see if we are doing

[4:34:36] everything

[4:34:36] everything we should.

[4:34:37] is that not all laid out for us

[4:34:39] already

[4:34:39] already?

[4:34:39] I don't know why we would spend

[4:34:42] a

[4:34:42] a quarter of $1 million to have

[4:34:43] a

[4:34:43] a consultant tell us.

[4:34:44] we have people in charge of these

[4:34:49] these programs that know what

[4:34:51] we are

[4:34:51] are doing and we are meeting the

[4:34:53] requirements

[4:34:53] requirements of the legislation

[4:34:54] in

[4:34:54] in the policy at the federal and

[4:34:56] provincial

[4:34:57] provincial level.

[4:34:57] why would we spend a quarter of

[4:34:59] a

[4:34:59] a million dollars to have somebody

[4:35:01] somebody look at it to tell us

[4:35:02] what

[4:35:02] what we already know and why would

[4:35:04] would we go beyond what we are

[4:35:05] asked

[4:35:05] asked to do in any event?

[4:35:07] >> just to clarify within the

[4:35:21] budget

[4:35:21] budget, and I'm not sure what's

[4:35:23] mine

[4:35:23] mine is being referred to right

[4:35:25] now

[4:35:25] now but 75,000 has been put in

[4:35:28] for

[4:35:28] for truth and reconciliation consultant

[4:35:29] consultant and $30,000 has been

[4:35:30] in

[4:35:31] in sort -- inserted for our record

[4:35:33] record management review that

[4:35:34] I spoke

[4:35:34] spoke about in my presentation

[4:35:35] .

[4:35:35] >> further?

[4:35:38] >> my question remains the same

[4:35:42] .

[4:35:42] the amount hasn't change, soria

[4:35:44] had

[4:35:45] had the wrong line item.

[4:35:46] 70,000 instead of 226?

[4:35:47] that's what I hear.

[4:35:50] any comments on my concern with

[4:35:56] respect

[4:35:56] respect to having an outside individual

[4:35:59] individual tell us?

[4:36:00] I don't know for sure but if it's

[4:36:03] it's in black and white in front

[4:36:05] of

[4:36:05] of us, I don't know if we need

[4:36:07] someone

[4:36:07] someone to tell us what that means

[4:36:08] means.

[4:36:08] >> I'm going to look to our finance

[4:36:13] finance friends to help confirm

[4:36:14] my

[4:36:14] my understanding.

[4:36:14] the rfp we have just released

[4:36:18] in 2025

[4:36:18] 2025 was based on a project approved

[4:36:21] approved in the 2025 budget.

[4:36:22] we have already approved the funds

[4:36:26] funds to seek a consultant.

[4:36:27] admittedly, it is late in the

[4:36:30] air

[4:36:30] air.

[4:36:30] we hope to get this project off

[4:36:32] the

[4:36:32] the ground earlier in 2025.

[4:36:33] knowing that amo was working on

[4:36:36] their

[4:36:36] their process, we wanted to inform

[4:36:38] inform our rfp scope so we weren't

[4:36:40] weren't duplicating effort.

[4:36:40] my understanding is the budget

[4:36:44] funds

[4:36:44] funds for the consultant's work

[4:36:45] has

[4:36:46] has already been approved in 2025

[4:36:48] 2025.

[4:36:48] we have an rfp out right now.

[4:36:50] we hope to secure the consultant

[4:36:52] before

[4:36:52] before the end of the year and

[4:36:54] the

[4:36:54] the work will proceed in 2026.

[4:36:55] perhaps most can clarify that.

[4:36:57]

[4:36:57] >> yes, that is correct.

[4:36:59] that was a 2025 initiative.

[4:37:00] the rfp is coming out at the end

[4:37:06] of

[4:37:07] of the year but we do -- we did

[4:37:08] have

[4:37:09] have that approved in the 2025

[4:37:10] budget

[4:37:10] budget.

[4:37:10] >> thank you.

[4:37:12] so it is still at 70,000?

[4:37:16] or are we adding it?

[4:37:17] it was approved in 2025, why's

[4:37:20] it

[4:37:21] it back in the budget again this

[4:37:22] year

[4:37:22] year?

[4:37:22] what am I missing?

[4:37:23] >> I recall it being 50.

[4:37:31] it's a little convoluted because

[4:37:33] that

[4:37:33] that line includes other consultant

[4:37:34] consultant costs we can get the

[4:37:35] exact

[4:37:36] exact figure but I believe we

[4:37:38] did

[4:37:38] did have 50,000 earmarked in 2025

[4:37:39] 2025 for those costs and we will

[4:37:42] confirm

[4:37:42] confirm what the consultant costs

[4:37:43] costs are for 2026 and what does

[4:37:47] exactly

[4:37:47] exactly where.

[4:37:47] I do remember there being potentially

[4:37:52] potentially initiatives that came

[4:37:54] came out of what the rfp advised

[4:37:55] us

[4:37:55] us to do.

[4:37:56] we were trying to locate daughter

[4:37:57] daughter -- locate dollars but

[4:37:59] I will

[4:38:00] will confirm that with what's

[4:38:01] in the budget

[4:38:01] the budget.

[4:38:01] >> my other concern is I guess

[4:38:09] on

[4:38:09] on page 122 of the budget, I see

[4:38:14] salaries

[4:38:14] salaries for county council salaries

[4:38:15] salaries.

[4:38:15] it goes from 518 to 538.

[4:38:19] what percentage is that?

[4:38:19] a 2% increase or what is the actual

[4:38:22] actual percentage?

[4:38:23] >> that would be 2.5%.

[4:38:27] >> thank you.

[4:38:27] I'm just concerned, madame warden

[4:38:32] warden, with respect -- I know

[4:38:35] we've

[4:38:36] we've been going through the budget

[4:38:37] budget and we've cut some things

[4:38:39] out

[4:38:39] out to try to keep it at a reasonable

[4:38:41] reasonable level.

[4:38:41] but the canadian economy isn't

[4:38:44] good

[4:38:44] good at all.

[4:38:45] we have 11% unemployment rate

[4:38:48] in windsor-essex

[4:38:48] windsor-essex county, which I

[4:38:49] understand

[4:38:49] understand is the highest in canada

[4:38:51] canada.

[4:38:51] I just don't think it is proper

[4:38:53] for

[4:38:54] for us -- we talk about social social service

[4:38:58] social service requirement and

[4:38:59] housing

[4:38:59] housing and everything else and

[4:39:00] I

[4:39:00] I know it's probably in line with

[4:39:04] with what would be -- what we've

[4:39:05] been

[4:39:05] been giving through union agreements

[4:39:06] agreements but we need to be responsible

[4:39:10] responsible, and I know it's not

[4:39:11] a

[4:39:11] a lot of money.

[4:39:12] it's about $20,000 but I think

[4:39:13] it's

[4:39:14] it's important that we show some

[4:39:17] leadership

[4:39:17] leadership with respect to that

[4:39:18] .

[4:39:18] I am not in favour of increasing

[4:39:19] wages

[4:39:22] wages by 2.5% for this year.

[4:39:23] I know that arguments can be made

[4:39:27] made that if we do this, we do

[4:39:29] this

[4:39:29] this constantly and we are falling

[4:39:31] falling behind but every few years

[4:39:32] years, council seems to have a

[4:39:35] study

[4:39:36] study done in any event that takes

[4:39:37] takes a look at it and inevitably

[4:39:40] inevitably it increases in some

[4:39:42] way

[4:39:42] way, shape or fashion.

[4:39:43] but that is for future councils

[4:39:45] to

[4:39:45] to decide.

[4:39:46] why am not in favour of that.

[4:39:49] I won't support this part of the

[4:39:51] budget

[4:39:51] budget unless there is some way

[4:39:53] of

[4:39:53] of pulling that item out and dealing

[4:39:54] dealing with it separate or dealing

[4:39:56] dealing with the motion to approve

[4:39:58] approve it but not increasing

[4:40:05] the

[4:40:05] the salaries and indemnities for

[4:40:06] council

[4:40:06] council.

[4:40:06] >> thank you.

[4:40:08] councilor deyong.

[4:40:12] >> I have a question on the council

[4:40:15] council services budget.

[4:40:15] meeting expenses have been pretty

[4:40:19] pretty steady and then it triples

[4:40:20] triples this year.

[4:40:21] I'm wondering what they expected

[4:40:22] -- what that line is?

[4:40:25] line 2110.

[4:40:27] >> I will start as david continues

[4:40:31] continues to look.

[4:40:32] in 2026, it will be an election

[4:40:36] year

[4:40:36] year.

[4:40:36] so what we were finding when we

[4:40:38] were

[4:40:38] were going through the budget

[4:40:39] is that

[4:40:39] that we weren't allocating enough

[4:40:41] enough to reserves for those meetings

[4:40:44] meetings every year.

[4:40:44] I know there's the wardens luncheon

[4:40:46] luncheon and stuff like that that

[4:40:47] that happens once every four years

[4:40:49] years.

[4:40:49] you will definitely see a spike

[4:40:51] in

[4:40:51] in there because of those reasons

[4:40:52] reasons as well as some other

[4:40:54] items

[4:40:54] items related to it being an election

[4:40:56] election year.

[4:40:56] >> just to clarify, there is no

[4:41:03] actual

[4:41:04] actual election activity expense

[4:41:04] that

[4:41:05] that the county incurs, or is

[4:41:07] there

[4:41:07] there?

[4:41:07] you are talking about the outcome

[4:41:08] outcome of the election and the

[4:41:10] new

[4:41:10] new council and whatever is involved

[4:41:11] involved with onboarding the new

[4:41:12] council

[4:41:13] council but is there an election

[4:41:14] expense

[4:41:14] expense as well?

[4:41:15] >> yes, and no.

[4:41:21] they know being we are not involved

[4:41:24] involved in the elections but

[4:41:26] there

[4:41:26] there always is an annual -- every

[4:41:28] every four years there is a dinner,

[4:41:31] dinner, organizing the former

[4:41:32] -- we

[4:41:35] we do that.

[4:41:35] going forward, we want to level

[4:41:39] this

[4:41:39] this off so there's a little money

[4:41:41] money put aside each year so you

[4:41:43] don't

[4:41:43] don't see huge spikes in election

[4:41:44] election years.

[4:41:44] >> councilor bondy.

[4:41:52] >> thank you.

[4:41:55] a couple of comments already out

[4:41:57] there

[4:41:57] there, the wardens outgoing dinner

[4:41:59] dinner, that has never been considered

[4:42:04] considered to be a ticketed event

[4:42:05] event.

[4:42:05] from what I remember, it is not

[4:42:07] ticketed

[4:42:07] ticketed.

[4:42:07] the people that get invited don't

[4:42:09] don't have to pay anything.

[4:42:10] rather than doing maintenance

[4:42:14] on the

[4:42:14] the wages, I would rather look

[4:42:15] at

[4:42:16] at that -- like I would buy my

[4:42:18] ticket

[4:42:18] ticket.

[4:42:18] has that ever been looked at?

[4:42:20] >> it is a ticketed events.

[4:42:23] I don't recall the amount of the

[4:42:25] tickets

[4:42:25] tickets but it is ticketed.

[4:42:26] $125 per ticket.

[4:42:28] >> thank you.

[4:42:34] I don't think I've ever paid for

[4:42:36] it

[4:42:36] it.

[4:42:36] my local must pay for it.

[4:42:37] I don't think we have.

[4:42:40] I don't know.

[4:42:40] I look -- I could be wrong.

[4:42:43] I look forward to paying for it

[4:42:45] this

[4:42:45] this year.

[4:42:45] I will support if someone makes

[4:42:47] a

[4:42:47] a motion or I can make a motion

[4:42:49] , I

[4:42:49] I will support the budget as presented

[4:42:51] presented.

[4:42:51] I don't believe that we should

[4:42:54] pull

[4:42:54] pull out the maintenance on county

[4:42:56] county councillors salaries because

[4:42:57] because that is what got us so

[4:43:00] far

[4:43:00] far behind, was not doing maintenance

[4:43:02] maintenance on the salaries.

[4:43:03] so I don't want to go backwards

[4:43:04] on

[4:43:05] on that.

[4:43:05] I think it is responsible for

[4:43:09] us to

[4:43:09] to keep the maintenance in there

[4:43:11] there,

[4:43:11] there, just like everything.

[4:43:12] the reason why we were targeted

[4:43:13] this

[4:43:14] this term, some of us, was because

[4:43:16] because there was no responsible

[4:43:17] maintenance

[4:43:17] maintenance in the future.

[4:43:18] whether we make a motion that

[4:43:21] we receive

[4:43:21] receive this or pull it out, I'm

[4:43:23] willing

[4:43:24] willing to make the motion that

[4:43:25] we

[4:43:25] we do it all.

[4:43:26] >> I just want to get a line of

[4:43:32] established

[4:43:32] established year.

[4:43:33] the first to speak are going to

[4:43:35] have

[4:43:35] have preference.

[4:43:35] then I will come back to councilor

[4:43:37] councilor prue and then councilor

[4:43:39] councilor deyong.

[4:43:39] councilor akpata.

[4:43:40] >> thank you.

[4:43:40] to the director of I.t., a quick

[4:43:43] question

[4:43:43] question on the end of support

[4:43:48] for

[4:43:48] for the windows 10 solution.

[4:43:49] have we transition completely?

[4:43:50]

[4:43:50] we don't have machines tucked

[4:43:52] in corners

[4:43:52] corners running it?

[4:43:53] just want to make sure we're in

[4:43:55] the

[4:43:55] the proper cyberspace that we

[4:43:56] need

[4:43:56] need to be.

[4:43:57] >> we do have some machines left

[4:43:58] in

[4:43:59] in the environment with windows

[4:44:00] windows 10

[4:44:01] windows 10.

[4:44:01] they support systems that are

[4:44:05] third

[4:44:05] third party proprietary and cannot

[4:44:06] cannot be updated at this time

[4:44:07] .

[4:44:07] we are taking extra diligence

[4:44:11] to make

[4:44:11] make sure that every patch that

[4:44:12] we

[4:44:13] we can apply to those is applied

[4:44:15] and

[4:44:15] and we are working with our mdr

[4:44:17] service

[4:44:18] service provider to ensure those

[4:44:19] systems

[4:44:19] systems are specifically monitored

[4:44:20] monitored as well because they

[4:44:22] are

[4:44:22] are still machines.

[4:44:23] >> a supplemental, I want to make

[4:44:29] make sure that I understand the

[4:44:31] machines

[4:44:32] machines running windows 10 aren't

[4:44:32] aren't running any critical --

[4:44:33] without

[4:44:34] without breaching security, I

[4:44:35] would

[4:44:35] would assume were not running

[4:44:37] critical

[4:44:37] critical for structure or anything

[4:44:38] anything like that.

[4:44:38] you've got them walled off so

[4:44:41] should

[4:44:41] should something happen, you are

[4:44:42] able

[4:44:43] able to mitigate what may happen

[4:44:45] with

[4:44:45] with running old software.

[4:44:46] >> that is a good assumption.

[4:44:48] >> thank you, madame warden.

[4:44:49] >> thank you.

[4:44:50] no other questions?

[4:44:51] I will come back to councilor

[4:44:57] prue

[4:44:57] prue.

[4:44:57] >> thank you, madame warden.

[4:44:59] my other question relates to the

[4:45:01] credit

[4:45:01] credit rating.

[4:45:01] I remember if it wasn't laughter

[4:45:04] laughter,

[4:45:04] laughter, may be the year before

[4:45:06] before,

[4:45:06] before, there was quite a spirited

[4:45:07] spirited debate about a credit

[4:45:09] rating

[4:45:10] rating.

[4:45:10] I remember speaking against it

[4:45:13] and

[4:45:13] and everyone voted to continue

[4:45:14] with

[4:45:15] with the credit rating.

[4:45:15] all of a sudden, we have a motion

[4:45:17] motion that we don't need it anymore

[4:45:19] anymore.

[4:45:19] can you tell me what the change

[4:45:21] has

[4:45:21] has been during that period?

[4:45:22] I agree we don't need it.

[4:45:23] we didn't need it then either.

[4:45:25]

[4:45:25] but why now are you saying we

[4:45:27] don't

[4:45:27] don't need it?

[4:45:27] >> the conversation was had in

[4:45:32] 2025

[4:45:33] 2025 when I did a thorough analysis

[4:45:34] analysis of what it means to actually

[4:45:36] actually get this done and what

[4:45:37] the

[4:45:37] the consensus was at that time

[4:45:38] was

[4:45:39] was it would be deliberated at

[4:45:40] budget

[4:45:40] budget time.

[4:45:40] we didn't include it in the budget

[4:45:43] budget right now.

[4:45:43] however, if you choose to put

[4:45:45] it back

[4:45:45] back in the budget, it's $28,000

[4:45:48] that

[4:45:48] that there is the opportunity

[4:45:50] to do

[4:45:50] do that.

[4:45:51] there wasn't consensus, it was

[4:45:53] more

[4:45:53] more or less deliberated at budget

[4:45:55] budget time because we had already

[4:45:56] already approved $2025, and the

[4:45:58] exercise

[4:45:58] exercise happened in october of

[4:45:59] every

[4:45:59] every year.

[4:45:59] I think it was, we are ready approved

[4:46:02] approved the budget or the credit

[4:46:04] credit rating in 2025 and then

[4:46:05] we

[4:46:06] we will deliberated for 2026.

[4:46:07] >> why did you take it out of

[4:46:10] the

[4:46:10] the budget?

[4:46:10] >> based on council direction

[4:46:13] to that

[4:46:15] that at or below inflation, we

[4:46:17] chose

[4:46:17] chose -- administration chose

[4:46:19] to take

[4:46:19] take it out.

[4:46:19] but obviously there is an opportunity

[4:46:21] opportunity to still put it back

[4:46:22] in

[4:46:22] in.

[4:46:22] >> but you took it out because

[4:46:24] you

[4:46:24] you didn't think it was necessary

[4:46:25] necessary.

[4:46:25] it's not something that is really

[4:46:28] really required?

[4:46:28] >> it is up for council debate

[4:46:32] .

[4:46:32] I guess when we are looking at

[4:46:36] the

[4:46:36] the priorities, it wasn't the

[4:46:37] highest

[4:46:37] highest priority so we did leave

[4:46:39] it

[4:46:39] it out.

[4:46:39] >> okay.

[4:46:41] thank you for that.

[4:46:44] just as a comment to the other

[4:46:46] thing

[4:46:47] thing, I was 1 of 3 who did not

[4:46:49] vote

[4:46:49] vote for the increase in salaries

[4:46:51] salaries and I do not feel that

[4:46:52] I

[4:46:53] I can vote for a 2.5% increase

[4:46:57] on

[4:46:57] on a salary increase I did not

[4:46:59] approve

[4:46:59] approve in the first place.

[4:47:00] so I will be joining councilor

[4:47:02] waldstedt

[4:47:02] waldstedt, if that comes up.

[4:47:03] thank you.

[4:47:04] >> thank you.

[4:47:07] councilor deyong.

[4:47:07] >> thank you.

[4:47:08] there are so many different budgets

[4:47:09] budgets and I had my questions

[4:47:12] in

[4:47:12] in a row.

[4:47:12] I wanted to get clarification.

[4:47:14]

[4:47:14] I think it was the financial services

[4:47:16] services budget you talked about

[4:47:17] about.

[4:47:17] I think it's a million dollars

[4:47:19] of

[4:47:20] of the financial services budget

[4:47:21] going

[4:47:22] going toward ems.

[4:47:22] I wanted to make sure I heard

[4:47:24] that

[4:47:24] that clearly.

[4:47:24] there's a lot of talk around ems

[4:47:26] today

[4:47:26] today but it's under financial

[4:47:28] services

[4:47:28] services budget going to reserve

[4:47:29] for

[4:47:29] for the spoke building.

[4:47:31] is that what I understand?

[4:47:32] >> correct.

[4:47:33] finance houses the land so we

[4:47:35] would

[4:47:35] would own the land and the building

[4:47:37] building.

[4:47:37] so we have that under the finance

[4:47:38] finance budget but it is for ems

[4:47:42] capital

[4:47:42] capital.

[4:47:42] >> thank you.

[4:47:42] and back to mr. Sunday and, you

[4:47:43] talked

[4:47:44] talked about appendix three and

[4:47:47] I

[4:47:47] I wanted to give you an opportunity

[4:47:49] opportunity, I'm looking specifically

[4:47:50] specifically

[4:47:50] at 19 and 20 and I wonder

[4:47:52] wonder if they go together.

[4:47:53] 19 is reserve funded so I don't

[4:47:56] understand

[4:47:57] understand why we would do that

[4:47:58] .

[4:47:58] I'm guessing maybe it is only

[4:48:01] possible

[4:48:01] possible if we do 20?

[4:48:02] >> yes, number 19 and 20 are the

[4:48:06] two

[4:48:06] two are referred to in my presentation

[4:48:08] presentation.

[4:48:08] 19 observe funded in order to

[4:48:09] make

[4:48:09] make improvements to a room in

[4:48:10] the

[4:48:11] the basement.

[4:48:11] records management is managed

[4:48:15] records management is managed

[4:48:15]

[4:48:15] by the

[4:48:15] the deputy clerk, who follows

[4:48:18] -- who

[4:48:18] who falls within my department

[4:48:20] .

[4:48:20] we have records that are kind

[4:48:22] of everywhere

[4:48:22] everywhere across the county.

[4:48:23] we're trying to get to the point

[4:48:25] where

[4:48:25] where records are eventually digitized

[4:48:26] digitized to the extent possible

[4:48:28] possible.

[4:48:28] those that have to be stored in

[4:48:29] long-term

[4:48:30] long-term are in one locked and

[4:48:31] secure

[4:48:32] secure location.

[4:48:32] that's what we are working toward

[4:48:33] toward.

[4:48:33] the ideal being the description

[4:48:35] that's

[4:48:35] that's in -- within the appendix

[4:48:38] three

[4:48:38] three is to say we need to get

[4:48:40] this

[4:48:40] this room ready to receive those

[4:48:41] records

[4:48:42] records somewhat timely, if there's

[4:48:46] there's going to be renovations

[4:48:47] in

[4:48:47] in the basement or library, perhaps

[4:48:49] perhaps it's a good time to consolidate

[4:48:50] consolidate everything in one

[4:48:51] room

[4:48:51] room.

[4:48:51] I was speaking with my staff at

[4:48:52] the

[4:48:53] the break, if you had to pick

[4:48:57] one

[4:48:57] one of these two, we would prefer

[4:48:59] prefer 19 over 20.

[4:49:00] ideally both, we not both at some

[4:49:04] some point but if it's one or

[4:49:07] the

[4:49:07] the other, the records arm is

[4:49:09] the

[4:49:09] the preference.

[4:49:09] >> I don't understand if it's

[4:49:14] reserve

[4:49:14] reserve funded, ryoal would require

[4:49:15] require council?

[4:49:16] you are talking about pulling

[4:49:19] from

[4:49:19] from reserves.

[4:49:20] am I missing something?

[4:49:20] why would you do that?

[4:49:21] >> as I alluded to in the budget

[4:49:27] overview

[4:49:27] overview, reserves are important

[4:49:28] for

[4:49:28] for us to have.

[4:49:29] some of these are smaller dollars

[4:49:31] dollars but we have to think about

[4:49:33] about long-term planning.

[4:49:33] for example, if this comes from

[4:49:36] capital

[4:49:37] capital, we have the ems funding

[4:49:38] model

[4:49:39] model that is borrowing from our

[4:49:40] capital

[4:49:41] capital, not just ems capital

[4:49:42] but

[4:49:42] but for wing from capital so we

[4:49:44] don't

[4:49:44] don't take on that.

[4:49:45] it's just an exercise of making

[4:49:47] sure

[4:49:47] sure we don't deplete reserves

[4:49:49] as

[4:49:49] as well and we have to be smart

[4:49:51] about

[4:49:51] about how much reserves we use

[4:49:52] in

[4:49:52] in the year so when we really

[4:49:54] needed

[4:49:54] needed or for one-time things

[4:49:55] -- if

[4:49:55] if the province decides to kick

[4:49:57] in

[4:49:57] in money for something, we have

[4:49:58] to

[4:49:58] to have our share as well.

[4:50:00] just thinking long term not depleting

[4:50:02] depleting reserves for the future

[4:50:03] future.

[4:50:03] >> anyone else?

[4:50:06] councilor mcnamara.

[4:50:08] >> getting back to the standard

[4:50:21] and

[4:50:22] and poor -- getting the rating

[4:50:23] , I

[4:50:24] I know we don't borrow a lot of

[4:50:25] money

[4:50:26] money but if we were to borrow

[4:50:27] money

[4:50:27] money, is it also utilized to

[4:50:30] be able

[4:50:31] able to get favoured interest

[4:50:32] rates

[4:50:32] rates on loans?

[4:50:32] >> in my exercise that I took

[4:50:39] earlier

[4:50:39] earlier this year to prepare the

[4:50:40] council

[4:50:40] council for what I have understood

[4:50:41] understood from infrastructure

[4:50:43] ontario

[4:50:44] ontario, which is typically where

[4:50:45] where municipalities borrow from

[4:50:46] from,

[4:50:46] from, it does not factor into

[4:50:48] the

[4:50:48] the rate, which is why it was

[4:50:50] up for

[4:50:50] for debate, the cost-benefit analysis

[4:50:51] analysis.

[4:50:51] but it does really help with vendors

[4:50:54] vendors.

[4:50:54] know when every screens us or

[4:50:56] anything

[4:50:56] anything like that, they understand

[4:50:57] understand we have a aaa rating

[4:50:58] so

[4:50:58] so it simpler from an administrative

[4:51:00] administrative position.

[4:51:00]

[4:51:00] >> so realistically, it wouldn't

[4:51:05] affect

[4:51:05] affect us if we have to borrow

[4:51:07] money

[4:51:07] money through infrastructure ontario

[4:51:09] ontario for major projects?

[4:51:10] >> in february, when I checked

[4:51:14] , it

[4:51:14] it did not have an effect.

[4:51:15] >> okay then that is my decision

[4:51:18] decision.

[4:51:18] I certainly wouldn't want to bring

[4:51:20] bring it back.

[4:51:21] but also, as councilor prue and

[4:51:26] certainly

[4:51:26] certainly councilor waldstedt,

[4:51:28] I do

[4:51:29] do support what they are saying

[4:51:31] as

[4:51:31] as well as I think it's a matter

[4:51:33] of

[4:51:33] of principle moving forward and

[4:51:34] again

[4:51:34] again the 2.5% is on the salaries

[4:51:37] salaries, I would say -- I would

[4:51:39] support

[4:51:39] support what councilor waldstedt

[4:51:42] has

[4:51:43] has brought forward.

[4:51:43] >> thank you.

[4:51:46] councilor waldstedt.

[4:51:47] >> thank you.

[4:51:47] I'm just wondering how many silence

[4:51:52] silence people are in opposition

[4:51:53] to

[4:51:53] to the wage increase?

[4:51:54] what procedure -- is there a motion

[4:51:57] motion on the floor now?

[4:51:58] >> not yet.

[4:51:58] >> because I know councilor bondy

[4:52:04] bondy mentioned she had a motion

[4:52:05] but

[4:52:05] but I would make a motion that

[4:52:07] we

[4:52:07] we would deal with the wage salaries

[4:52:09] salaries and indemnity's increase

[4:52:10] increase for council separately

[4:52:11] .

[4:52:11] if that is proper.

[4:52:12] >> we will do it the weight we

[4:52:17] need

[4:52:18] need to do it.

[4:52:19] thank you for that's.

[4:52:19] we will look to you for -- as

[4:52:25] a mover

[4:52:25] mover.

[4:52:25] anyone else?

[4:52:25] in regards to this report?

[4:52:27] okay.

[4:52:27] seeing none, I will look to madame

[4:52:34] madame clerk.

[4:52:34] we will just wait for the clerk

[4:52:43] clerk's

[4:52:43] clerk's department to list the

[4:52:47] motion

[4:52:47] motion.

[4:52:47] >> thank you tag team.

[4:52:55] thank you, team.

[4:53:01]

[4:53:15]

[4:53:15] >> the motion from councilor

[4:54:14] waldstedt

[4:54:14] waldstedt is in the revised screen

[4:54:17] screen.

[4:54:17] >> I will read the motion from

[4:54:25] councilor

[4:54:25] councilor waldstedt, just to make

[4:54:26] make sure you are good with the

[4:54:27] boarding

[4:54:28] boarding.

[4:54:28] that is that essex county council

[4:54:30] council reduce proposed line item

[4:54:31] item 105-60-1101 of the general

[4:54:37] general government

[4:54:37] general government council services

[4:54:37] services budget to the 2025 level

[4:54:38] level of $518,100.

[4:54:40] that is moved by councilor waldstedt

[4:54:49] waldstedt.

[4:54:49] >> that takes care of my concern

[4:54:53] and

[4:54:53] and others that I've heard from

[4:54:55] .

[4:54:55] >> looking for a seconder to the

[4:54:58] motion

[4:54:58] motion.

[4:54:58] that is moved by councilor mcnamara

[4:55:03] mcnamara.

[4:55:03] question, councilor bondy?

[4:55:03] 3 yes, thank you.

[4:55:06] it's an election year.

[4:55:08] we all know it.

[4:55:09] that's why we are talking about

[4:55:10] this

[4:55:11] this right now.

[4:55:11] what does this mean going forward

[4:55:14] forward?

[4:55:14] are we four years behind again

[4:55:16] ?

[4:55:16] what happened was we reviewed

[4:55:21] our

[4:55:21] our wages and we were supposed

[4:55:23] to

[4:55:23] to stay in line with our non nonunion

[4:55:26] nonunion comparators.

[4:55:26] if we don't support this, does

[4:55:28] this

[4:55:29] this mean we are not supporting

[4:55:30] it

[4:55:30] it for the four years?

[4:55:31] because then we are going to get

[4:55:34] back

[4:55:35] back to where we have been.

[4:55:36] so I just want to understand,

[4:55:39] we know

[4:55:39] know it's an election year.

[4:55:41] everyone's got to do their election

[4:55:43] election things.

[4:55:43] but what does this mean going

[4:55:45] forward

[4:55:45] forward?

[4:55:45] I want to know what this means

[4:55:51] for

[4:55:52] for the new term of council.

[4:55:53] are they behind or did they come

[4:55:54] back

[4:55:55] back in?

[4:55:55] do they stay a cycle out?

[4:55:56] >> I do remember the conversation

[4:56:01] conversation at the time and I

[4:56:02] believe

[4:56:03] believe we have it in a policy

[4:56:04] on

[4:56:04] on exactly how often we would

[4:56:08] do the

[4:56:08] the market salary review for council

[4:56:09] council.

[4:56:09] I believe it was every term of

[4:56:11] council

[4:56:12] council.

[4:56:12] anyone please correct me if I'm

[4:56:13] wrong

[4:56:13] wrong.

[4:56:13] so that would still occur because

[4:56:16] because that was approved already

[4:56:17] already, that every term of council

[4:56:18] council we would do that review

[4:56:20] again

[4:56:20] again.

[4:56:20] potentially, yes, like any other

[4:56:23] salary

[4:56:24] salary, if we don't do it on an

[4:56:26] annual

[4:56:27] annual basis, it may be a bigger

[4:56:28] jump

[4:56:28] jump all at once but that is already

[4:56:30] already factored in that we would

[4:56:32] would have that review every term

[4:56:33] term of council.

[4:56:33] >> any other questions in regards

[4:56:38] regards to the motion?

[4:56:39] I will ask you to vote electronically

[4:56:42] electronically.

[4:56:42] we are pausing.

[4:56:45] councilor waldstedt?

[4:57:00] >> in order to make sure we have

[4:57:08] the

[4:57:09] the correct dollar figure in there

[4:57:10] there, we're going to remove the

[4:57:11] dollar

[4:57:12] dollar figure and reworded to

[4:57:13] say

[4:57:13] say maintain 2025 pay level?

[4:57:14] >> that was the intent.

[4:57:22] test

[4:57:38]

[4:57:38] >> again, I will read the revised

[4:58:02] revised.

[4:58:02] the essex county council reduce

[4:58:03] the

[4:58:03] the proposed line item 105-60-1101

[4:58:07] 105-60-1101 of the general government

[4:58:09] government council services budget

[4:58:10] budget to maintain the 2025 level

[4:58:12] level.

[4:58:12] councilor waldstedt, just wanting

[4:58:17] wanting a nod.

[4:58:18] yes.

[4:58:18] and seconder was councilor mcnamara

[4:58:20] mcnamara.

[4:58:20] and you are good.

[4:58:22] we will ask you to vote electronically

[4:58:24] electronically for that motion

[4:58:24] .

[4:58:24] and that carries.

[4:58:43] secondary to that, there is a

[4:58:52] recommendation

[4:58:52] recommendation that the presentation

[4:58:52] presentation for the proposed

[4:58:54] 2026

[4:58:54] 2026 general government budget

[4:58:54] be

[4:58:55] be received can further that the

[4:58:58] 2026

[4:58:59] 2026 budget estimates for general

[4:59:00] general government to be received

[4:59:01] received or received and approved

[4:59:02] approved as amended.

[4:59:02] looking for your wishes.

[4:59:04] councilor verbeke.

[4:59:09] >> I would like to move, receive

[4:59:11] and

[4:59:11] and approve.

[4:59:11] >> as amended?

[4:59:12] that is moved by councilor verbeke

[4:59:17] verbeke.

[4:59:17] looking for seconder.

[4:59:18] councilor gibb.

[4:59:18] comments or questions?

[4:59:20] we will ask you to vote electronically

[4:59:24] electronically, please.

[4:59:24] that is carried.

[4:59:42] next we have external commitments

[4:59:49] commitments.

[4:59:49] back to you again, melissa.

[4:59:51] >> this final sections covers

[4:59:55] the

[4:59:55] the county's external commitments

[4:59:56] commitments, both legislative

[4:59:57] and

[4:59:57] and discretionary, and how these

[4:59:58] investments

[4:59:58] investments support our residents

[5:00:00] residents and regional partners

[5:00:01] .

[5:00:01] our goal is to manage these obligations

[5:00:03] obligations responsibly, he partnership

[5:00:04] partnership strong and make sure

[5:00:05] we're

[5:00:05] we're reading community needs

[5:00:07] effectively

[5:00:07] effectively.

[5:00:07] many of the 2026 figures from

[5:00:10] the

[5:00:10] the city of windsor, who administer

[5:00:12] administer some of these programs

[5:00:13] programs.

[5:00:13] while the city won't finalize

[5:00:15] its

[5:00:15] its budget until late january,

[5:00:16] we've

[5:00:16] we've used the most current information

[5:00:18] information to guide projections

[5:00:19] projections.

[5:00:19] legislative commitments covers

[5:00:22] services

[5:00:23] services we are required to fund

[5:00:24] fund,

[5:00:24] fund, public health, property

[5:00:25] assessment

[5:00:25] assessment, social services and

[5:00:27] social

[5:00:27] social housing.

[5:00:28] health unit costs are expected

[5:00:30] to

[5:00:30] to rise just over 1% for 2026

[5:00:33] and

[5:00:33] and impact property assessment

[5:00:34] cost

[5:00:34] cost are anticipated to increase

[5:00:35] by

[5:00:36] by 3.7%.

[5:00:36] social services and social housing

[5:00:39] housing operations are higher

[5:00:41] due

[5:00:41] due to contractual wage increases

[5:00:42] increases for city staff and changes

[5:00:43] changes to the child care administrative

[5:00:44] administrative funding formula

[5:00:45] .

[5:00:45] windsor-essex community housing

[5:00:48] corporation

[5:00:48] corporation has also requested

[5:00:49] additional

[5:00:49] additional operating funds so

[5:00:51] this

[5:00:51] this budgetthis includes budget includes

[5:00:52] ourare anticipated

[5:00:52] anticipated anticipated

[5:00:52] anticipated share with further adjustments dependency approvals

[5:00:53] adjustments dependency approvals

[5:00:53] share with further adjustments

[5:00:53] adjustments dependent on cit approvals.

[5:00:54] adjustments dependent on cit approvals.

[5:00:54] approval

[5:00:54] approval.

[5:00:54] so for the social housing capital renewal, this

[5:00:58] capital renewal, this program

[5:01:02] is administered

[5:01:02] administered by the windsor-essex

[5:01:03] windsor-essex community housing corporation

[5:01:04] corporation, it's an important

[5:01:04] initiative that

[5:01:04] initiative that utilizes county funding

[5:01:07] funding to improve, modernize

[5:01:08] and maintain social housing Properties

[5:01:08] properties throughout essex windsor

[5:01:10] windsor. This problem

[5:01:11] this problem addresses energy efficiency

[5:01:14] efficiency and upgrade safety

[5:01:15] and

[5:01:15] and excessive building features

[5:01:16] ensuring

[5:01:16] ensuring that residents live in safe, healthy and

[5:01:17] safe, healthy and sustainable environments

[5:01:17] environments so this program supports a ten-year

[5:01:20] supports a ten-year social housing plan

[5:01:20] housing plan.

[5:01:20] while the 2025 funding requests were

[5:01:24] were lower, the significant projects are scheduled

[5:01:28] projects are scheduled from 2026 to

[5:01:28] to 2028 which rely heavily on

[5:01:30] reserves

[5:01:30] reserves.

[5:01:30] to prepare, we are continuing

[5:01:34] to contribute an additional

[5:01:34] contribute an additional 200,000 to the social

[5:01:36] to the social housing capital reserve

[5:01:37] reserve annually to build capacity in

[5:01:38] capacity in that program.

[5:01:40] when we look at projective reserve

[5:01:44] reserve balances, social housing

[5:01:45] capital reserve

[5:01:45] capital reserve is part of the

[5:01:45] overall capital reserve

[5:01:45] overall capital reserve balance and

[5:01:46] and are expected reserve for this

[5:01:50] this

[5:01:50] one is 7.8 million at the end

[5:01:51] end of 2025 with unanticipated

[5:01:54] spend

[5:01:54] spend of 5.7 million in 2026.

[5:01:56] and 7.7 million in 2027.

[5:01:59] so doing the math, this reserve

[5:02:03] will be deleted of all the

[5:02:03] will be deleted of all the projects move

[5:02:03] projects move forward however, we

[5:02:04] we do have a plan to replenish

[5:02:07] in

[5:02:07] in years where costs are not expected to be

[5:02:08] expected to be so high.

[5:02:08] these are discretionary obligations which include Investments

[5:02:13] these are discretionary obligations which include Investments

[5:02:13] investments or -- windsor-essex

[5:02:15] so funding

[5:02:17] so funding is remaining at the same level as previous

[5:02:18] same level as previous years, same with

[5:02:21] same with tourism windsor-essex

[5:02:21] .

[5:02:21] there is no increase in funding

[5:02:24] . The community safety and

[5:02:24] the community safety and well-being

[5:02:24] well-being plan, a slight increase and

[5:02:27] increase and that's for the contractual wage increases

[5:02:29] contractual wage increases for the city

[5:02:29] the city staff that oversee this

[5:02:31] program

[5:02:32] program. There's also the

[5:02:33] there's also the tax appeals for lower

[5:02:34] lower tiers.

[5:02:35] these funds to support tax appeals services for

[5:02:38] appeals services for local means

[5:02:38] apologies

[5:02:39] apologies and they're critical to

[5:02:41] to ensure fair taxation so there's an increase in this

[5:02:42] there's an increase in this line

[5:02:44] as last year

[5:02:45] as last year's budget decreased it

[5:02:46] it by 90,000 but we are trending

[5:02:47] if it can be

[5:02:47] if it can be higher that -- found

[5:02:51] found out this year so we want to

[5:02:52] to bring a backup the necessary

[5:02:52] levels

[5:02:52] levels.

[5:02:52] and then this year's hospital contribution

[5:02:55] contribution sees an increase

[5:02:58] of 720,000 of levy

[5:02:58] 720,000 of levy dollars bringing

[5:03:01] the total annual

[5:03:01] the total annual funding to 7.76 million.

[5:03:03] the total annual funding to 7.76 million.

[5:03:03] we are in ongoing discussions

[5:03:06] with the

[5:03:06] with the hospital regarding timing

[5:03:08] timing of payment, however, nothing has been confirmed to

[5:03:08] nothing has been confirmed to

[5:03:08] date

[5:03:08] date.

[5:03:08] should council wish to reduce additional funding

[5:03:12] additional funding emotion would be

[5:03:12] be required as it is built into the proposed budget

[5:03:15] the proposed budget.

[5:03:15] and lastly we have the erie shores

[5:03:18] shores health care so there --

[5:03:21] this

[5:03:21] this is a long term commitment

[5:03:22] with

[5:03:22] with $200,000 allocated and this

[5:03:25] is

[5:03:25] is year three of a 10-year commitment

[5:03:25] commitment.

[5:03:25] without I'm happy to take any

[5:03:30] questions

[5:03:30] questions. >> thank you melissa

[5:03:32] >> thank you melissa.

[5:03:32] let's start with you councillor mcnamara

[5:03:34] mcnamara. >> I

[5:03:38] >> I would propose that on the

[5:03:39] hospital allocation

[5:03:40] hospital allocation, the extra

[5:03:40] 720,000 this

[5:03:40] 720,000 this year be deferred to help

[5:03:45] help offset some of the costs on the

[5:03:45] the augment that I've talked about with ens

[5:03:48] about with ens and others so I would propose that

[5:03:52] would propose that at the proper

[5:03:52] time

[5:03:53] time as a motion. >> so you're talking that it Remain

[5:04:00] time as a motion. >> so you're talking that it Remain

[5:04:00] remain at the 2025 budget number of

[5:04:03] of 7,040,000?

[5:04:06] >> that's correct your guy maintain

[5:04:10] maintain 7,000,040 in the base moving

[5:04:11] moving forward and then 720,000, the additional for

[5:04:16] the additional for 2026b deferred

[5:04:19] deferred their and move in to allocate

[5:04:23] allocate some of the costs for the enhancements

[5:04:27] the enhancements in the various

[5:04:28] positions. >> okay thank you

[5:04:30] positions. >> okay thank you

[5:04:30] >> okay thank you.

[5:04:30] any other comments and questions

[5:04:34] questions?

[5:04:34] councillor akpata. >> I

[5:04:37] >> I like seeing invest windsor-essex

[5:04:40] windsor-essex. I'm glad they

[5:04:41] I'm glad they came. I was

[5:04:41] I was one of the people who voted

[5:04:42] voted to change their funding

[5:04:44] allocation and I

[5:04:44] allocation and I hope through you and the

[5:04:48] you and the office of the commitments

[5:04:48] commitments they made to us hold true

[5:04:49] true because they did a great job in pivoting

[5:04:52] job in pivoting and changing us

[5:04:53] those bringing us what we

[5:04:54] those bringing us what we need. I want to

[5:04:54] I want to make sure as we go for

[5:04:55] word

[5:04:57] word we don't have to go through that cycle again

[5:04:57] that cycle again so.

[5:05:01] [inaudible]

[5:05:01] >> council will be able to hold their

[5:05:05] their feet to the fire because

[5:05:07] they promise they

[5:05:08] they promise they would be here

[5:05:08] four times a

[5:05:08] four times a year and we will certainly

[5:05:11] certainly let them know if they were

[5:05:11] were overdue because I do think that

[5:05:15] that was a scare for them last year to

[5:05:15] year to think that they would have

[5:05:18] have to operate at 15% less than what they had

[5:05:20] what they had expected and so I

[5:05:21] think I'm of the

[5:05:24] think I'm of the opinion that

[5:05:26] councils had a

[5:05:26] councils had a very strong message

[5:05:28] message and also with gordon moore

[5:05:32] moore at the helm, he understands how

[5:05:32] understands how counsel operates and

[5:05:36] and knows that people of our and I

[5:05:36] I believe they will hold true

[5:05:38] but

[5:05:38] but myself and the cao will make sure that

[5:05:40] sure that if there seems to be a

[5:05:42] slip

[5:05:44] slip, we will remind them.

[5:05:45] councillor prue, was your hand up

[5:05:51] up?

[5:05:51] >> no I didn't know whether the motion

[5:05:54] motion was made I was just going

[5:05:55] to

[5:05:55] to second it. >> I wanted to have

[5:05:58] >> I wanted to have some conversations and I

[5:05:58] conversations and I will come back

[5:05:58] back to you councillor mcnamara

[5:06:01] for that.

[5:06:01] anyone else to comment on the external commitments

[5:06:04] external commitments?

[5:06:04] in that case, then I'm coming

[5:06:10] back

[5:06:10] back to you councillor mcnamara, I

[5:06:12] I believe we have the wording just about

[5:06:20] just about ready.

[5:06:21] just bear with us for a few moments

[5:06:25] moments.

[5:06:25] so the motion is that the essex

[5:07:25] essex county

[5:07:27] essex county budget be adjusted

[5:07:28] to

[5:07:30] to reflect the 2025 contribution to the

[5:07:33] to the new windsor-essex hospital system

[5:07:33] hospital system reserve to be the sum of

[5:07:36] the sum of 7,040,000. That's moved

[5:07:38] that's moved by councillor mcnamara and seconded

[5:07:42] mcnamara and seconded by councillor

[5:07:42] councillor prue.

[5:07:43] comments or questions in regards to that

[5:07:46] to that motion?

[5:07:46] councillor gibb. >> I'm looking

[5:07:56] >> I'm looking at my screen and it says

[5:07:56] it says 6 million. That would explain

[5:08:00] that would explain it.

[5:08:00] we cut that a few beats ago.

[5:08:07] no comments or questions?

[5:08:17] I'll ask you to vote electronically

[5:08:18] electronically, please.

[5:08:19] and that's carried.

[5:08:37] there's a recommendation also to the presentation

[5:08:43] the presentation for the 2026 propose external commitments

[5:08:44] propose external commitments budget be

[5:08:44] budget be received and that the

[5:08:48] 2026 budget estimates for External commitments

[5:08:49] 2026 budget estimates for External commitments

[5:08:49] external commitments be received

[5:08:51] or received

[5:08:52] or received and approved as amended. Looking

[5:08:53] or received and approved as amended. Looking

[5:08:53] looking for a mover.

[5:08:53] moved by councillor prue to receive

[5:08:58] receive and approve.

[5:08:59] councillor prue, seconded deputy

[5:09:05] warden

[5:09:06] warden, any discussion?

[5:09:07] councillor bailey. >>

[5:09:13] >> thank you read through you. Just a

[5:09:13] just a question related to the

[5:09:18] capital renewals

[5:09:19] capital renewals renewal that was roughly

[5:09:20] was roughly 2 million and went to

[5:09:23] to 5.7, recognizing the increase that's

[5:09:26] that's three-point for, I think

[5:09:28] it's related

[5:09:30] it's related to the capital renewal

[5:09:32] renewal and construction that

[5:09:34] will be

[5:09:34] will be needed with windsor-essex community

[5:09:35] windsor-essex community housing corporation but can

[5:09:35] corporation but can you confirm

[5:09:35] ?

[5:09:35] >> yes. That's correct it's their 10-year

[5:09:39] their 10-year capital plan that

[5:09:40] it's

[5:09:41] it's just certain years are higher than other

[5:09:41] higher than other. >> you so much

[5:09:42] >> you so much.

[5:09:42] >> if there are no further questions

[5:09:47] questions I will ask you to vote electronically

[5:09:48] electronically, please.

[5:09:49] and that's carried.

[5:10:24] so that concludes the departmental

[5:10:33] departmental budget presentations pure we

[5:10:34] presentations pure we are now at the

[5:10:34] the point where we approve, amend

[5:10:40] amend, what does it council wishes

[5:10:41] wishes to dupe your guy will start

[5:10:42] start with councillor. >> I

[5:10:46] >> I expect this to be a bit lengthy and

[5:10:47] lengthy and I will start with

[5:10:50] wanting to

[5:10:51] wanting to add number 19 which is the

[5:10:51] is the renovation of the storage

[5:10:51] room

[5:10:53] room. During the

[5:10:55] during the basement already with

[5:10:55] a

[5:10:56] a library.

[5:10:56] I don't understand why we wouldn't

[5:10:57] wouldn't just add this room, it's reserved

[5:10:57] it's reserved funded, not a lot

[5:10:59] of money

[5:11:01] of money so that's a motion if needed. I

[5:11:04] of money so that's a motion if needed. I

[5:11:04] I don't know how you want to do this

[5:11:05] this one at a time. >> I

[5:11:06] . >> I

[5:11:11] >> I think it will be less confusing for us and

[5:11:11] confusing for us and finance.

[5:11:13] I'm going to rely heavily on the clerk forwarding

[5:11:15] clerk forwarding et cetera so if you don't

[5:11:18] you don't mind bearing with us

[5:11:20] will work together that

[5:11:22] will work together that we will get it

[5:11:23] get it into the phrasing that

[5:11:25] you would like and

[5:11:25] you would like and anyone else who comes

[5:11:27] who comes forward. >> so everyone is

[5:11:34] >> so everyone is in the same comfort

[5:11:34] comfort level if you have an item

[5:11:38] item that you wish to move from that

[5:11:38] that list that was previously

[5:11:43] spoken about,

[5:11:43] spoken about, appendix three, we're tracking

[5:11:43] we're tracking things by the line

[5:11:45] line number and it would be helpful

[5:11:47] helpful for us to look at that number when you move

[5:11:48] number when you move the item.

[5:11:48]

[5:11:48] base will be listed under 1210 if

[5:12:20] if you're following on your agenda

[5:12:20] agenda.

[5:12:20] >> so the first motion, councillor

[5:12:26] councillor de young is that the room

[5:12:28] room g28 safety and efficiency

[5:12:28] project

[5:12:29] project added to the 2026 general

[5:12:31] general government corporate management

[5:12:32] management budget as outlined on line

[5:12:34] line 19 of the appendix three of the

[5:12:38] the treasurer's report.

[5:12:38] I will be looking for nods.

[5:12:51] they need a second or cocktails want to

[5:12:53] want to make sure that melissa gets what we

[5:12:56] gets what we need.

[5:12:57] looking for a second or, in regards to that

[5:13:00] regards to that motion, deputy

[5:13:02] warden

[5:13:03] warden, melissa?

[5:13:06] you're good?

[5:13:07] are you clear on that?

[5:13:07] okay.

[5:13:07] any questions from council council members in regards to

[5:13:11] council members in regards to

[5:13:11] that motion

[5:13:11] that motion?

[5:13:11] no clarification needed. Okay.

[5:13:16] no clarification needed. Okay.

[5:13:16] then will ask you. And that's carried

[5:13:53] and that's carried.

[5:13:53] next, councillor meloche. >>

[5:14:01] >> one question before I make a

[5:14:06] motion, among

[5:14:06] motion, among our extra items, number

[5:14:06] number 18 and 23, they're both speaking

[5:14:09] speaking to the generator and I'm just wondering

[5:14:11] I'm just wondering why their separated issues when

[5:14:14] separated issues when they're both to deal

[5:14:15] both to deal with the generator in

[5:14:19] in the grid iso agreement.

[5:14:22] >> is that something you can speak to

[5:14:29] speak to?

[5:14:29] >> I can't pull up that appendix quickly

[5:14:37] quickly.

[5:14:37] and I would maybe like melissa

[5:14:42] to

[5:14:43] to just confirm, is there an item in

[5:14:43] item in the additional items for

[5:14:45] a

[5:14:46] a generator study and is there also one for

[5:14:47] also one for humidity study?

[5:14:47] those of the two that I had. >> to me

[5:14:56] >> to me, it looks like the same sort

[5:15:00] sort of study I just want to figure out

[5:15:01] figure out why there's two different line items for it

[5:15:02] different line items for it. If it couldn't

[5:15:02] if it couldn't be one study completed

[5:15:05] completed, that may cost less

[5:15:08] than dude -- during two separate

[5:15:08] studies

[5:15:08] studies.

[5:15:08] >> they are two separate studies but

[5:15:27] but whenever we put together an rfp,

[5:15:27] rfp, if they're similar enough

[5:15:29] in

[5:15:30] in scope and we can find someone to

[5:15:31] to do that same work, that's definitely

[5:15:34] definitely a possibility so I

[5:15:36] guess at this point,

[5:15:36] guess at this point, if council chooses to

[5:15:36] chooses to bring both of them in

[5:15:36] in,

[5:15:36] in, obviously that would be our budget but if

[5:15:40] budget but if we come in under budget

[5:15:40] budget, that's fine too.

[5:15:41] >> thank you I would like to make a motion

[5:15:46] make a motion that we move forward with those

[5:15:47] forward with those two items from

[5:15:47] from the appendix three, along with

[5:15:52] with the other item 24 so those are the three other

[5:15:58] are the three other remaining

[5:16:00] items

[5:16:00] items and those are reserved funded

[5:16:01] funded items in the additional

[5:16:01] .

[5:16:01] those are the three I put forward.

[5:16:09] those are the three I put forward.

[5:16:09] that's 18, 23, and 24.

[5:16:12] those are all reserved funded.

[5:16:18]

[5:16:18] >> if you don't mind clerk's office

[5:16:30] office would like to do them separately

[5:16:31] separately so we will vote on

[5:16:31] each one separately

[5:16:31] each one separately.

[5:16:31] >> no problem I just was not sure because

[5:16:36] sure because 18 and 23 are similar I wasn't

[5:16:37] similar I wasn't share if we should put them

[5:16:37] should put them together or not because if we

[5:16:38] because if we could rf he had them it would make

[5:16:41] them it would make sense that if we can

[5:16:41] we can do them soberly.

[5:16:41] >> I think it will do better if we

[5:16:44] we do it soberly.

[5:16:45] that's their expert opinion so we

[5:16:45] we will go with that.

[5:16:45] did you have a question councillor prue

[5:16:49] councillor prue?

[5:16:49] >> I'm trying to understand this

[5:16:51] this.

[5:16:51] right now, they're funded but

[5:16:54] they're funded from the

[5:16:54] they're funded from the reserve

[5:16:55] and the motion is

[5:16:56] and the motion is to fund them

[5:16:58] from general

[5:16:58] from general tax revenue.

[5:17:00] of the is to what?

[5:17:01] okay so they're not on the budget

[5:17:08] budget, you just wanted back in the

[5:17:10] the reserve? Okay now I understand

[5:17:10] okay now I understand. All right

[5:17:10] all right.

[5:17:10] >> but they were on that wish list

[5:17:13] list. >> okay

[5:17:13] >> okay. >>

[5:17:18] >> okay.

[5:17:18] I need a second for the motion of the

[5:17:27] of the county a administration

[5:17:28] building

[5:17:29] building generator added to the

[5:17:31] 2026 interest

[5:17:32] 2026 interest doctrine planning services budget

[5:17:33] services budget as outlined on line

[5:17:33] line 18 and the appendix treasurer's

[5:17:35] treasurer's report.

[5:17:35] moved by councillor meloche excellent

[5:17:42] excellent -- seconded by councillor deyong, question

[5:17:44] councillor deyong, question should go

[5:17:44] should go ahead. >> to

[5:17:46] >> to do a study in support of -- I didn't quite

[5:17:49] -- I didn't quite pick up from

[5:17:51] councillor

[5:17:51] councillor prue this usually is a one-time fund, right?

[5:17:55] councillor prue this usually is a one-time fund, right?

[5:17:55] so would it be taken from the re restabilization

[5:18:00] restabilization fund or reserves

[5:18:03] reserves.

[5:18:03] I hate to see a study go on a

[5:18:08] base

[5:18:08] base. >>

[5:18:10] >> melissa?

[5:18:10] >> entire list included some reserve

[5:18:14] reserve items as well as some lovely funded items

[5:18:17] lovely funded items so that the three that

[5:18:17] three that are mentioned right

[5:18:19] now and

[5:18:19] now and we will do them in separate motions,

[5:18:20] separate motions, they're all levy

[5:18:20] levy funded and it will be one-time dollars

[5:18:23] one-time dollars and restabilization

[5:18:24] restabilization.

[5:18:24] >> the reserve funded. >> yes

[5:18:28] >> yes. [booing]

[5:18:28] you said levy but that's okay. >> sorry. >>

[5:18:30] you said levy but that's okay. >> sorry. >>

[5:18:30] >> reserve funded. >> reserved

[5:18:31] >> reserved because then I would be a

[5:18:34] be a post -- this makes sense

[5:18:38] one time funding to

[5:18:38] one time funding to do this study

[5:18:38] study and then move forward after the fact

[5:18:42] after the fact.

[5:18:42] okay.

[5:18:42] anyone else?

[5:18:48] really have conversation will

[5:18:55] he have a conversation with

[5:18:55] have a conversation with mike

[5:18:55] so without

[5:18:55] without wheat I would prefer if we

[5:19:00] we have conversation, we stick

[5:19:02] to the mic.

[5:19:02] please go ahead.

[5:19:02] so the rest of us know what's

[5:19:05] going on

[5:19:05] going on. >> thank you and I

[5:19:05] >> thank you and I was just confirming

[5:19:06] confirming that indeed these three items

[5:19:09] three items are coming from the

[5:19:09] reserve, you're on

[5:19:09] reserve, you're on the wish list and

[5:19:10] and then we will vote to put them

[5:19:12] them back in but funded for reserve

[5:19:15] reserve. >> for council awareness, these

[5:19:22] >> for council awareness, these

[5:19:22] studies will generate

[5:19:22] studies will generate items that potentially

[5:19:23] potentially would be required

[5:19:27] in the future

[5:19:27] the future which would require other

[5:19:27] other dollars but for now, the

[5:19:30] studies themselves

[5:19:31] studies themselves would be reserved

[5:19:31] reserved and funded yes.

[5:19:31] >> perfect then thank you for

[5:19:35] that.

[5:19:35] I think it clarified for everyone.

[5:19:35] >> with that, I will ask you to vote electronically

[5:19:39] vote electronically, please.

[5:19:40] >> a question before, there's no no mention

[5:20:02] no mention here about the reserves

[5:20:03] reserves. Should it be

[5:20:04] should it be indicated in the

[5:20:06] motion

[5:20:06] motion?

[5:20:06] >> it's in the report.

[5:20:09] if you look on page 37 in the

[5:20:11] report, it lists

[5:20:11] report, it lists where those projects

[5:20:13] projects are being funded from

[5:20:15] . >> okay

[5:20:16] >> okay so just the confusing part

[5:20:18] part is there in the report but it's

[5:20:19] it's not in the actual motion.

[5:20:23] >> it says as outlined

[5:20:25] >> it says as outlined, if you want

[5:20:25] want to pull up that appendix three, if you've

[5:20:29] three, if you've got the printed

[5:20:29] version

[5:20:31] version, so it says as outlined

[5:20:33] in the

[5:20:33] in the report.

[5:20:34] and that's carried, thank you.

[5:20:39]

[5:20:39] next, anybody else?

[5:20:45] so this is now, we're waiting for

[5:21:08] for that wording.

[5:21:10] >> the motion is that how did administration

[5:21:48] administration building summer humidity investigation

[5:21:48] humidity investigation be added to

[5:21:48] to the 2026 infrastructure and planning services

[5:21:51] planning services budget as outlined

[5:21:54] outlined on line 23 of the appendix

[5:21:56] appendix three of the treasurer treasurer's report

[5:21:56] treasurer's report.

[5:21:56] that was moved by councillor meloche and seconded

[5:22:02] meloche and seconded by councillor deyong. So we're

[5:22:02] so we're now looking into that electronically

[5:22:05] electronically.

[5:22:05] and that's carried.

[5:22:41] one last motion.

[5:23:01] and this motion is that the county administration

[5:23:14] county administration building west

[5:23:15] west to south sidewalk be added to

[5:23:15] to 2026 infrastructure and planning services budget

[5:23:20] planning services budget as outlined on line

[5:23:21] outlined on line 24 of the appendix

[5:23:21] appendix three of the treasurer

[5:23:22] treasurer's

[5:23:22] treasurer's report, moved by councillor meloche and seconded

[5:23:27] councillor meloche and seconded

[5:23:27] by councillor deyong

[5:23:30] by councillor deyong.

[5:23:30] looking for voting. And that's carried

[5:24:01] and that's carried.

[5:24:01] councillor gibb. >> thank you madame

[5:24:11] >> thank you madame morden. I'd

[5:24:11] I'd like to make a motion that we

[5:24:12] we include item number one on the business

[5:24:16] the business case requests for the committee

[5:24:20] the committee programs coordinator

[5:24:20] coordinator.

[5:24:20] if I can get a secondary, I'd like to speak to

[5:24:24] like to speak to it.

[5:24:24] >> community programs coordinator

[5:24:32] coordinator for ens. I'll wait till

[5:24:37] I'll wait till we get -- oh it's already

[5:24:40] already.

[5:24:40] were 79 steps ahead of me.

[5:24:43] steps ahead of me.

[5:24:46] their ego.

[5:24:48] so the motion is that the community

[5:24:51] community programs coordinator

[5:24:51] be added to

[5:24:51] be added to the 2026 essex windsor ens

[5:24:53] windsor ens budget as outlined

[5:24:56] on

[5:24:57] on line one of the appendix three of the

[5:24:58] three of the treasurer's report

[5:24:59] and

[5:25:01] and that's moved by councillor gibb and seconded

[5:25:02] gibb and seconded by councillor meloche

[5:25:02] meloche.

[5:25:02] councillor gibb wanted to speak to

[5:25:21] to that. I apologize. >>

[5:25:21] >> I feel that we've done so much

[5:25:24] much work on the public access to for belated

[5:25:27] to for belated program that to

[5:25:30] see it full by the

[5:25:31] see it full by the wayside would really be a

[5:25:31] really be a shame. I

[5:25:32] I like the idea of public cpr

[5:25:37] training and building community Resilience

[5:25:37] resilience I think is important,

[5:25:40] especially

[5:25:40] especially when our ems system is

[5:25:42] is stretched to have civilians who can step

[5:25:45] who can step in and take care of people

[5:25:48] people who needed, isn't readily

[5:25:50] important

[5:25:52] important.

[5:25:52] one of the other things that she's

[5:25:54] she's mentioned as it reduces and prevents

[5:25:55] and prevents 911 calls when people know

[5:25:57] people know how to use these machines

[5:25:59] machines and know how to keep --

[5:26:01] take

[5:26:01] take care of each other.

[5:26:01] for something that's $121,000 but half of that

[5:26:06] but half of that cost will be

[5:26:08] recuperated from the

[5:26:08] recuperated from the city and

[5:26:10] in year

[5:26:11] year two I believe, another half

[5:26:13] of that cost is recuperated

[5:26:13] of that cost is recuperated from the province

[5:26:13] the province so for essentially

[5:26:16] $30,000, I think this

[5:26:16] $30,000, I think this is well

[5:26:18] worth

[5:26:18] worth investing in.

[5:26:19] >> thank you, councillor deyong, comment

[5:26:25] comment. >> a question

[5:26:25] >> a question.

[5:26:25] any existing ems program, there's someone who

[5:26:30] there's someone who can do this training I'm guessing

[5:26:31] training I'm guessing because I had

[5:26:31] had done by ems at the community centre for

[5:26:35] centre for my senior year volunteers

[5:26:35] volunteers.

[5:26:35] I'm just hearing comments that's adjusted if

[5:26:39] adjusted if we don't find this

[5:26:40] new program

[5:26:40] new program, that will be available

[5:26:41] available anymore, we won't have someone who can

[5:26:42] someone who can come and teach

[5:26:42] cpr or help people

[5:26:43] cpr or help people learn that we current have

[5:26:46] current have written out will is that

[5:26:47] that. >> numbers of

[5:26:50] >> numbers of counsel, that's correct we

[5:26:51] correct we will not have a dedicate a

[5:26:51] dedicate a lead as mentioned earlier it would be

[5:26:54] earlier it would be peace nailed

[5:26:54] so we

[5:26:56] so we will do it we could but we will

[5:26:57] will not have been. [inaudible]

[5:27:00] will not have been. [inaudible]

[5:27:00] >> so the person is dedicated

[5:27:01] now as

[5:27:01] now as being reassigned to a different area

[5:27:03] different area or was never dedicated

[5:27:06] dedicated then he just filled in in?

[5:27:07] dedicated then he just filled in in?

[5:27:07] I'm just trying to understand

[5:27:07] because I thought

[5:27:07] because I thought we had somebody in there

[5:27:09] somebody in there who's doing

[5:27:11] that

[5:27:11] that. >> the individual

[5:27:24] >> the individual doing it right now is

[5:27:25] now is not permanently in the

[5:27:27] role. It

[5:27:27] it will be tough for me to get any

[5:27:28] any deeper than that.

[5:27:28] >> councillor bondy. >>

[5:27:37] >> thank you madame morden.

[5:27:37] this will be like that person will be

[5:27:39] will be in the budget and going forward and then the

[5:27:43] forward and then the province picks up on it

[5:27:43] picks up on it.

[5:27:43] thank you.

[5:27:47] I will be supporting it I've seen a lot

[5:27:51] seen a lot of gains in education

[5:27:52] education, I

[5:27:52] education, I think it's vital. We were

[5:27:53] we were just -- we adjusted our ed

[5:27:55] ed yesterday I think at the cold

[5:27:58] chester harbor and I

[5:27:58] chester harbor and I see the value in

[5:27:59] value in this. After this I'm

[5:28:01] after this I'm wondering if we can

[5:28:01] can get where we are with our levy before

[5:28:05] levy before we keep going. I think I'm

[5:28:06] I think I'm curious to see where we

[5:28:06] we are. Please and

[5:28:08] please and thank you.

[5:28:08] >> we are just conferring on the wording

[5:28:46] wording because the appendix refers to

[5:28:48] refers to the full cost as our finance folks

[5:28:51] finance folks have alluded to.

[5:28:52] we just want to

[5:28:52] we just want to make it abundantly

[5:28:52] abundantly clear, the amount that

[5:28:55] that we are adding back to the

[5:28:56] budget

[5:28:57] budget and it's 50% of that amount

[5:28:58] amount.

[5:28:58] you will bear with us a moment

[5:29:01] to make that clarification and

[5:29:02] to make that clarification and

[5:29:02] motion

[5:29:03] motion.

[5:29:03] >> a motion is that the community programs coordinator

[5:29:39] community programs coordinator

[5:29:39] be added to

[5:29:41] be added to the 2026 essex ems budget as outlined

[5:29:45] budget as outlined on 11 of appendix

[5:29:47] appendix three of the treasurer treasurer's

[5:29:47] treasurer's report at 50% of the

[5:29:50] indicated amount

[5:29:50] indicated amount.

[5:29:50] because of the sharing with partners

[5:29:54] partners.

[5:29:54] understood? Perfect

[5:29:54] perfect.

[5:29:54] I'm looking to melissa.

[5:30:01] it's technical because of the

[5:30:12] weighted assessment, right?

[5:30:12] so I leave it up to the group,

[5:30:14] I don't want

[5:30:14] don't want to get that technical

[5:30:15] but

[5:30:16] but it's approximately so we'll change it

[5:30:20] change it. >> we will change it

[5:30:21] >> we will change it to weighted assessment

[5:30:21] assessment so good.

[5:30:25] I don't think that's being picky picky. I

[5:30:25] I think that's being exact.

[5:30:27] councillor akpata. >> to our finance person

[5:30:34] >> to our finance person, if one of

[5:30:35] of our partners the sides don't want to

[5:30:36] want to find anything, then what happens

[5:30:40] happens?

[5:30:40] I'm just saying that my windsor star

[5:30:44] star open I don't want to mention that

[5:30:44] mention that place and we don't

[5:30:47] want

[5:30:47] want -- they don't seem to want to do

[5:30:48] to do anything just wondering what this

[5:30:49] what this position. >> because

[5:30:54] >> because we provide the service

[5:30:55] service, the county provides the service we get this

[5:30:56] service we get this at that service

[5:30:56] service level, similar to how the city gets

[5:31:00] the city gets a social services

[5:31:01] --

[5:31:02] -- so it's the same kind of scenario

[5:31:05] scenario, whether the service levels are set

[5:31:07] levels are set on us the cost of service

[5:31:08] service level. >> thank you

[5:31:13] >> thank you. >> you have the

[5:31:13] >> you have the windsor star open and the

[5:31:14] open and the budget meeting? Just asking.

[5:31:16] open and the budget meeting? Just asking.

[5:31:16] with that,. >> not intentionally

[5:31:18] >> not intentionally. >> the reworded

[5:31:20] >> the reworded motion of the

[5:31:23] coordinator

[5:31:23] coordinator be added to the 2026 essex windsor ems

[5:31:24] essex windsor ems budget is out of line

[5:31:27] of line -- as outlined on line one, the appendix

[5:31:29] one, the appendix three of the treasurer

[5:31:29] treasurer's report.

[5:31:32] to be divided in accordance with the

[5:31:33] the weighted assessment rely.

[5:31:34] looking to my move around secondary

[5:31:39] secondary so you asked, you're the

[5:31:47] the second or councillor meloche

[5:31:49] with that

[5:31:50] with that will ask you to vote

[5:31:50] electronically

[5:31:50] electronically, please.

[5:31:52] and that's carried. Any other adjustments

[5:32:16] any other adjustments to the final

[5:32:18] final -- deputy warden. >> I will try

[5:32:23] >> I will try to get this motion motion. I

[5:32:24] >> I will try to get this motion motion. I

[5:32:24] I would like to add the additional hours

[5:32:27] additional hours under ems to be added

[5:32:27] added to the 26th budget for essex windsor

[5:32:33] essex windsor ems as outlined

[5:32:37] in the

[5:32:37] the appendix three of the treasurer's

[5:32:37] treasurer's report to be divided

[5:32:41] in accordance with weighted Assessment

[5:32:42] in accordance with weighted Assessment

[5:32:42] assessment formula.

[5:32:42] >> that's the additional training

[5:32:46] training hours, right?

[5:32:48] >> yes.

[5:32:50] >> and that's number five on the -- we

[5:32:54] -- we will just wait until the wording

[5:32:56] wording gets -- so the motion

[5:33:08] is that the additional

[5:33:08] that the additional training hours be

[5:33:08] hours be added to the 2026 essex

[5:33:11] the ms budget as

[5:33:11] the ms budget as outlined on line

[5:33:14] line five, the appendix three of the treasurer's report

[5:33:15] the treasurer's report to be divided

[5:33:17] divided in accordance with the

[5:33:17] weighted assessment

[5:33:17] weighted assessment formula that's moved

[5:33:19] that's moved by deputy warden and seconded

[5:33:22] and seconded by councillor bondy

[5:33:22] bondy.

[5:33:22] >> just a point of information, can we

[5:33:29] can we get that levy before we keep

[5:33:30] keep going?

[5:33:31] >> kindly vote on this and then we

[5:33:40] we will have a conversation?

[5:33:41] is that okay?

[5:33:42] lesser getting almost ready time for

[5:33:43] for break so let's do a couple of these

[5:33:46] of these things in sequential order.

[5:33:49] of these things in sequential order.

[5:33:49] so that's asked about.

[5:33:52] much that cost is and I know that

[5:34:04] that it's. >>

[5:34:07] >> it's 199,935. >> page

[5:34:11] >> page 31. >> about some

[5:34:12] >> about some of the $100,000.

[5:34:15] >> yes, close, ballpark.

[5:34:15] >> thank you.

[5:34:15] and that's carried.

[5:34:43] so melissa, you have a question

[5:34:46] from councillor bondy

[5:34:46] from councillor bondy about where we

[5:34:48] where we are in regards to levy

[5:34:51] amount

[5:34:53] amount?

[5:34:53] do you need time to do that because

[5:34:55] because we scheduled for a break break,

[5:34:57] break, and I believe it's just so that running totals can

[5:34:59] so that running totals can be kept in

[5:34:59] kept in heads. On comfortable

[5:35:03] on comfortable. >> I'm comfortable

[5:35:04] >> I'm comfortable doing I don't

[5:35:04] busy women

[5:35:05] busy women have the final motion

[5:35:05] of regulation

[5:35:05] of regulation, will make sure that all the

[5:35:07] that all the number that correct

[5:35:07] so right now,

[5:35:09] so right now, I had us reducing

[5:35:11] 16,800 her

[5:35:12] 16,800 her counsel remuneration

[5:35:14] for

[5:35:16] for that 2.5 percent increase have a reduction

[5:35:17] have a reduction of 720,000 that we were putting towards

[5:35:22] we were putting towards the hospital

[5:35:22] hospital reserve and then added

[5:35:25] back to the levy

[5:35:25] back to the levy, specifically

[5:35:26] is the pad

[5:35:28] is the pad position as well as the

[5:35:31] the training hours, the eight hours of training

[5:35:34] hours of training hours so that brings

[5:35:34] brings us to 2.25% tax rate increase at

[5:35:39] increase at this time.

[5:35:41] >> any questions on those numbers at

[5:35:48] numbers at all no questions.

[5:35:52] councillor walstedt. >> approve

[5:35:58] >> approve the budget, so moved

[5:35:59] . Were out of here

[5:36:00] were out of here. A don't know else

[5:36:00] a don't know else to talk about

[5:36:00] .

[5:36:00] I don't need a break,. >> well, you know,

[5:36:04] >> well, you know, what, they just need a

[5:36:07] just need a minute.

[5:36:08] can we take a break and then we

[5:36:12] will come back to

[5:36:12] will come back to that amount through endless

[5:36:15] through endless treatment -- come

[5:36:24] come back to you and your statement. We

[5:36:25] come back to you and your statement. We

[5:36:25] we will do a 15 minute break,

[5:36:28] can

[5:36:28] can you be back here at 2:50, I need a

[5:36:29] need a motion councillor meloche

[5:36:35] and

[5:36:36] and councillor akpata I call in favour

[5:36:37] favour of a 15 minute break, opposed

[5:36:38] opposed, carried.

[5:36:38]

[5:36:51]

[5:36:51] >> test.

[5:47:00] >> test.

[5:47:12] we're at 2:50 and I'd like to resume the

[5:51:59] resume the meeting.

[5:52:01] councillor walstedt we have a

[5:52:13] few folks

[5:52:13] few folks who would like to include a

[5:52:14] include a few motions if you don't

[5:52:14] don't mind holding off. >> if they

[5:52:16] >> if they insist. [laughter]

[5:52:17] >> if they insist. [laughter]

[5:52:17] >> thank you kind, sir,.

[5:52:22] it's duly appreciated.

[5:52:22] councillor bailey. >> I wanted to

[5:52:28] >> I wanted to circle back to the

[5:52:28] the group because we were talking

[5:52:29] talking about the 10161 kilometres

[5:52:34] kilometres we created in this region and I

[5:52:35] region and I understand that we

[5:52:38] do have

[5:52:38] do have the number I know I've been talking to my

[5:52:39] been talking to my department throughout

[5:52:39] throughout the day and having

[5:52:42] some conversation so I

[5:52:42] some conversation so I know we

[5:52:42] do have

[5:52:44] do have a number they purify also

[5:52:44] also know that the dollars being asked for

[5:52:48] asked for is just a bit of an earmark

[5:52:50] earmark because it comes from the

[5:52:51] the reserve and will not impact

[5:52:53] the

[5:52:53] the levy anyway but I did want

[5:52:54] to be able to

[5:52:55] to be able to return back to the

[5:52:58] c

[5:52:59] c watts committee and groups as

[5:53:00] we talk

[5:53:01] we talk to them saying that we have

[5:53:03] have reserved the dollars in the

[5:53:04] reserve for that

[5:53:04] reserve for that product and I

[5:53:07] will ask

[5:53:07] will ask it administration if

[5:53:07] they can confirm the

[5:53:07] they can confirm the amount that

[5:53:09] would be needed to

[5:53:10] would be needed to be earmark

[5:53:11] here at the county and

[5:53:11] here at the county and I would like to

[5:53:11] like to make a motion to go ahead and

[5:53:13] ahead and proceed that we hold those dollars from the Discussion

[5:53:17] ahead and proceed that we hold those dollars from the Discussion

[5:53:17] discussion with c watts and that I

[5:53:19] I could get a second or. >> thank you,

[5:53:24] >> thank you, three warden, is to

[5:53:26] to expand a little bit on that

[5:53:27] , we're referring

[5:53:28] we're referring to a c watts. Shoulder

[5:53:29] shoulder project in lakeshore along county

[5:53:31] along county road 42.

[5:53:34] we have approximated the cost to

[5:53:35] be somewhere

[5:53:35] be somewhere between $625,700,000.

[5:53:43] be somewhere between $625,700,000.

[5:53:43] it's a cost shared segment between

[5:53:48] between county and lakeshore. In

[5:53:49] in this situation we will be adding

[5:53:51] adding a paved shoulder onto an

[5:53:51] existing

[5:53:51] existing road and be part of our combined

[5:53:55] combined paving and paved shoulder project

[5:53:56] shoulder project as a stand-alone

[5:53:56] stand-alone paved shoulder.

[5:53:58] so, if we went with a number of

[5:54:03] 625, the

[5:54:05] 625, the county's share would be approximately

[5:54:06] approximately $375,000.

[5:54:08] >> clerks will craft a motion

[5:54:24] for

[5:54:24] for you to look at before we move on

[5:54:26] move on, if you're good with that,

[5:54:28] that, councillor bailey.

[5:54:28] so counsellor if I can draw your attention

[5:54:49] attention to the motion that reads that

[5:54:50] reads that essex county council

[5:54:52] reserves

[5:54:53] reserves 375,000 in the dedicated

[5:54:54] dedicated reserve for the c watts

[5:54:56] watts program.

[5:54:57] are you good with that? Looking

[5:55:00] looking for a second or for that

[5:55:01] motion

[5:55:02] motion.

[5:55:02] it's moved by councillor bailey and

[5:55:04] and seconded by councillor walstedt

[5:55:06] walstedt.

[5:55:06] any comments or questions in regards to that

[5:55:08] regards to that motion?

[5:55:08] councillor meloche. >> I have no

[5:55:12] >> I have no problem reserving money in

[5:55:14] money in the reserve but I feel

[5:55:17] like

[5:55:18] like I'm lacking a lot of information

[5:55:19] information regarding the c watts program

[5:55:19] watts program and where that falls in the

[5:55:21] falls in the order of replacement

[5:55:22] replacement or order of items to be done in

[5:55:25] be done in 2026. Does

[5:55:28] does not bump someone else that

[5:55:28] we've already

[5:55:28] we've already approved?

[5:55:29] I know we don't have the report in front

[5:55:32] in front of us so I don't know that information off

[5:55:33] that information off hand. >> thank you

[5:55:39] >> thank you, the recommendation

[5:55:42] would be that

[5:55:42] would be that we take this money from

[5:55:44] from reserves so it wouldn't impact

[5:55:47] impact any of the other planned projects we

[5:55:47] projects we have and this segment

[5:55:51] segment was not intended to be built for a

[5:55:51] built for a few more years.

[5:55:53] >> does it bump anyone I believe

[5:56:03] was

[5:56:04] was the question, into someone else's initiative

[5:56:05] else's initiative -- does someone

[5:56:06] someone else's initiative get bumped

[5:56:06] bumped?

[5:56:06] >> three warden, that's what I

[5:56:11] was

[5:56:11] was saying, we wouldn't bump any projects if

[5:56:12] projects if this money is taken from

[5:56:14] from reserve.

[5:56:16] we would continue with the planned project

[5:56:19] planned project on this would be

[5:56:19] an additional

[5:56:19] an additional project but I'm sure melissa

[5:56:20] sure melissa has a comment on

[5:56:23] that

[5:56:23] that. >> so technically it would Increase

[5:56:26] that. >> so technically it would Increase

[5:56:26] increase the program for 26 however that addition would be

[5:56:32] however that addition would be

[5:56:32] roadway expansion

[5:56:33] roadway expansion funded so it

[5:56:35] would

[5:56:35] would not affect the levy but it does

[5:56:37] does increase the entire program because the other projects

[5:56:38] because the other projects are already in

[5:56:38] already in there and this would be

[5:56:40] be an additional project added to that project

[5:56:43] to that project list.

[5:56:43] >> so it wouldn't be coming from

[5:56:51] the c watts reserve is

[5:56:52] the c watts reserve is what you're saying

[5:56:52] you're saying then?

[5:56:55] >> c watts doesn't utilize the roadway expansion

[5:57:01] roadway expansion reserve.

[5:57:01] there is not its own specific

[5:57:03] reserve

[5:57:03] reserve yet so it's the roadway

[5:57:06] expansion reserve

[5:57:06] expansion reserve that typically

[5:57:06] funds

[5:57:07] funds then see what -- a portion

[5:57:07] of the program

[5:57:07] of the program.

[5:57:07] so there's no c watts reserve.

[5:57:14] it's roadway expansion.

[5:57:14] >> so further, how much is enough

[5:57:18] enough reserve?

[5:57:18] >> originally, it was about 56 million anticipated

[5:57:26] 56 million anticipated at the

[5:57:28] end

[5:57:28] end of 2026, if all the projects move

[5:57:29] move forward as they are. As

[5:57:31] as of right now.

[5:57:32] so there would be about 56 million so any additional

[5:57:33] 56 million so any additional items

[5:57:38] items that get approved would draw

[5:57:39] draw down on lot 56 million.

[5:57:41] >> are you okay? Councillor prue

[5:57:49] councillor prue.

[5:57:49] >> I want to make sure before I

[5:57:53] tie up

[5:57:53] tie up $375,000 in the county,

[5:57:56] it's going to cost

[5:57:59] it's going to cost 300,000 approximately

[5:57:59] approximately the lakeshore.

[5:58:02] you have the money?

[5:58:04] and you're willing to spend of this

[5:58:12] this year that's what this is

[5:58:12] about

[5:58:12] about.

[5:58:12] >> that question will go through me so I

[5:58:18] me so I will look to you councillor

[5:58:18] councillor bailey. >> I'm

[5:58:21] >> I'm a quick learner. >> 3u

[5:58:22] >> 3u, yes indeed it will be considered

[5:58:23] considered in the budget tomorrow

[5:58:25] tomorrow with the municipality

[5:58:27] . >> in

[5:58:28] >> in your budget you'll put 300,000 in

[5:58:29] 300,000 in?

[5:58:29] >> yes so I'm asking the county to tap

[5:58:32] to tap into their reserves for

[5:58:34] 300,000 and we have

[5:58:37] 300,000 and we have 56 million in there.

[5:58:38] 300,000 and we have 56 million in there.

[5:58:38] thank you.

[5:58:38] >> my question is answered and

[5:58:42] you secured my

[5:58:42] you secured my vote.

[5:58:43] >> thank you.

[5:58:45] another question, councillor deyong

[5:58:49] deyong?

[5:58:49] okay so there are no further questions

[5:58:51] questions then.

[5:58:54] I'll ask you to vote electronically

[5:58:54] electronically, please.

[5:58:56] and that's carried. >>

[5:59:24] >> I would like to bring through item 14 on our appendix

[5:59:25] item 14 on our appendix three which is

[5:59:25] which is the traffic signal at at county

[5:59:29] at county road 20 and martin lane.

[5:59:31] at county road 20 and martin lane.

[5:59:31] when study was completed well

[5:59:32] over a year ago I

[5:59:32] over a year ago I guess at the

[5:59:32] time

[5:59:33] time, it was based on traffic

[5:59:36] counts

[5:59:36] counts. We

[5:59:36] we hadn't changed the way we evaluated

[5:59:38] evaluated our intersections and

[5:59:39] so I took the

[5:59:40] so I took the time to reach out

[5:59:42] to

[5:59:43] to our police chief to get some numbers to help us

[5:59:44] numbers to help us understand

[5:59:46] that intersection

[5:59:46] that intersection I'm laughing it's important that we

[5:59:47] it's important that we install the

[5:59:47] the signal.

[5:59:48] in january 1st of october 31st of this year

[5:59:51] of this year, the town of la la salle

[5:59:54] la salle had a worker can't traffic

[5:59:55] traffic actions. Of those,

[5:59:57] of those, 41% were on front road and

[6:00:02] and 20% occurred right in that

[6:00:02] zone that we're looking

[6:00:02] zone that we're looking at install this

[6:00:03] install this light that the area

[6:00:06] where the speed

[6:00:07] where the speed limit goes from 70 to

[6:00:07] 70 to 50 as we either enter it la salle

[6:00:10] la salle or leave la salle and that intersection

[6:00:12] that intersection is 0.3% of the

[6:00:16] total

[6:00:16] total road for the entire town

[6:00:18] yet represents over

[6:00:18] yet represents over 6% of the traffic actions

[6:00:19] traffic actions that take place in

[6:00:19] in the town.

[6:00:20] we've also had four accidents at

[6:00:23] that intersection

[6:00:23] that intersection just this year

[6:00:25] alone

[6:00:26] alone, one just past the intersection

[6:00:28] intersection was a fatality and

[6:00:31] the intersections

[6:00:31] the intersections before and after have

[6:00:32] after have also seen several accidents throughout the

[6:00:33] accidents throughout the 2025 year

[6:00:34] year and so, that's a very busy

[6:00:36] intersection for

[6:00:36] intersection for us.

[6:00:37] it's a direct route through the

[6:00:40] town and we find that

[6:00:40] town and we find that people tend

[6:00:42] tend to speed right through that

[6:00:45] area and

[6:00:45] area and it's very dangerous as we

[6:00:45] we have a school known that road

[6:00:48] and I watched the

[6:00:49] and I watched the school buses constantly try to

[6:00:49] constantly try to turn and get

[6:00:51] in

[6:00:52] in through the very high level

[6:00:53] of traffic that

[6:00:54] of traffic that travels from la la salle to amherstburg

[6:00:55] la salle to amherstburg or vice vice versa and

[6:00:55] vice versa and so I'm asking for support from

[6:00:57] support from council today to approve this intersection

[6:01:00] approve this intersection.

[6:01:00] it's put as an estimated cost of

[6:01:04] 500,000.

[6:01:07] 500,000.

[6:01:07] and appendix three it asks to be levy

[6:01:09] levy funded.

[6:01:09] I don't want it to be levy funded

[6:01:11] funded as we heard, our roadway expansion reserve

[6:01:12] expansion reserve is hefty and I

[6:01:13] would like

[6:01:13] would like that we funded from

[6:01:17] that reserve and get that

[6:01:17] that reserve and get that intersection upgraded this

[6:01:17] intersection upgraded this year and that's my

[6:01:19] and that's my motion. >> we will come

[6:01:24] >> we will come back to reading

[6:01:24] the

[6:01:24] the full motion butwill come back

[6:01:26] I see that to reading the full

[6:01:26] full melissa

[6:01:26] melissa would like to speak to it.

[6:01:26] melissa motion.

[6:01:27] >> just point of clarification

[6:01:29] . >> point of clarification

[6:01:29] >> point of clarification.

[6:01:29] ,so 6 million although the it's a

[6:01:32] 56 million, although it is

[6:01:33] 56 million, although it is a larger dollar

[6:01:34] larger dollar larger

[6:01:34] larger amount, because of the

[6:01:37] the roadway expansion plan we have planned

[6:01:38] have planned over the next 20 years

[6:01:40] years, it will be depleted as of

[6:01:41] 2028.

[6:01:43] 2028.

[6:01:43] just don't want it to be -- we

[6:01:46] are

[6:01:47] are nearing that target, I just wanted

[6:01:52] wanted to add that.

[6:01:53] >> any other comments or questions

[6:01:53] questions?

[6:01:53] we are already updated,. >> so it

[6:02:05] >> so it will be approved for funding for the

[6:02:06] funding for the expansion reserve

[6:02:07] reserve in 2026 and that is moved by councillor

[6:02:09] moved by councillor meloche, looking for a

[6:02:10] looking for a second.

[6:02:17] deputy?

[6:02:17] I will ask you to vote electronically,

[6:02:24] electronically, please.

[6:02:26] that is carried.

[6:02:44] deputy warden, do you have something

[6:02:48] something you wanted to bring

[6:02:50] forward?

[6:02:50] >> just a question through the chief,

[6:02:52] chief, I know the rank order hear that

[6:02:53] hear that business states, so far

[6:02:57] far we have approved numbers one one,

[6:03:02] one, can you get the correct numbers

[6:03:03] numbers that were approved?

[6:03:03] ?

[6:03:03] there are two numbers.

[6:03:09] >> they are listed on the screen

[6:03:22] here,

[6:03:23] here, 918, line 19, line 23, 24, line

[6:03:27] line one, line five and 14.

[6:03:36] >> community programs coordinator,

[6:03:39] coordinator, was that one of them

[6:03:41] them and the command of operations

[6:03:45] operations, was that one of them

[6:03:45] them?

[6:03:45] what about the second vehicle

[6:03:49] service technician

[6:03:49] service technician?

[6:03:49] okay, I would like to see in terms of health care dollars

[6:03:55] terms of health care dollars, I

[6:03:55] know we

[6:03:56] know we the furred kept the budget for

[6:03:58] budget for the hospital grant the same rate is

[6:04:01] the same rate is 2025 and I know that there

[6:04:03] that there were six or seven cases

[6:04:07] cases that were presented by the chief

[6:04:08] chief, if I can ask the chief of the

[6:04:09] the ones that have been approved

[6:04:11] if there's one market

[6:04:12] if there's one market will elect to

[6:04:12] to see one more at this year's

[6:04:18] budget to compensate the health Health care

[6:04:19] budget to compensate the health Health care

[6:04:19] health care dollars for health health care

[6:04:19] health care's without ems has the support and

[6:04:22] the support and resources they were

[6:04:24] were asking for.

[6:04:25] I'm not sure if it item two or three that the chief

[6:04:29] three that the chief could speak

[6:04:30] to

[6:04:31] to, if he had to pick one more,

[6:04:33] I

[6:04:34] I would like to put that word is a

[6:04:34] a motion.

[6:04:36] >> through you warden, and discussions

[6:04:46] discussions with the team, commander of operations

[6:04:46] commander of operations line three

[6:04:52] three. >> may be can

[6:04:53] >> may be can you share why that

[6:04:54] would be important and how it

[6:04:55] would be important and how it

[6:04:56] would impact

[6:04:56] would impact your delivery of service

[6:04:59] service. >> the operations

[6:05:00] >> the operations department right now is staffed

[6:05:02] right now is staffed by the deputy chief

[6:05:04] deputy chief and frontline supervisors

[6:05:07] supervisors. The debate if

[6:05:07] the debate if chief is monday

[6:05:09] to friday and the

[6:05:09] friday and the others are on the shift

[6:05:11] shift.

[6:05:11] ..they work monday, tuesday, these

[6:05:17] these are nights, off wednesday

[6:05:18] thursday

[6:05:18] thursday, or on the weekend. We

[6:05:19] we don't have a running support

[6:05:21] for the

[6:05:22] for the deputy chief to be able to follow

[6:05:23] to follow through on things. Summit he

[6:05:24] summit he starts working something

[6:05:26] something up on monday, tuesday

[6:05:30] then the off-line...

[6:05:30] then the off-line... May be to have

[6:05:30] have the we can off, falling back

[6:05:33] back on the deputy chief, there's no support

[6:05:34] there's no support on constant monday

[6:05:37] monday to friday to allow him to function and

[6:05:39] function and to stay on top of operational

[6:05:41] operational issues.

[6:05:41] it's a fast moving service 24/7

[6:05:43] , things are happening

[6:05:44] things are happening every day,

[6:05:45] day and night. It

[6:05:45] it provide some capacity. >> thank you.

[6:05:49] it provide some capacity. >> thank you.

[6:05:49] I'll put that word is a motion to

[6:05:51] to include -- the volume of calls have increased

[6:05:57] calls have increased significantly and I

[6:05:57] significantly and I believe we need to

[6:05:59] need to provide support for this operation

[6:06:01] operation.

[6:06:01] I'll delete make that as a motion

[6:06:06] motion. >> that

[6:06:18] >> that motion is that the command

[6:06:19] command of operations be added to

[6:06:20] to the 2026 essex-windsor budget

[6:06:24] budget...

[6:06:24] budget... The treasurer's report to be divided

[6:06:27] report to be divided with the weight of assistant formula that

[6:06:30] weight of assistant formula that

[6:06:30] is moved

[6:06:30] is moved by counsellor deputy warden

[6:06:33] warden looking for a

[6:06:35] warden looking for a

[6:06:35]

[6:06:35] second, councillor mcnamara.

[6:06:41] second, councillor mcnamara.

[6:06:41] I'm asking you to vote electronically

[6:06:43] electronically, please.

[6:06:49] >> -- I was -- at this point I

[6:06:58] believe

[6:07:00] believe that this is 12 staff members that

[6:07:03] members that will be asking the city

[6:07:06] city to cofund at 50 percent,

[6:07:10] correct

[6:07:10] correct?

[6:07:10] overall, from the county, there were

[6:07:16] were 11 positions and added back

[6:07:16] in

[6:07:17] in with the pad coordinator so that

[6:07:20] that would be 12 and then I believe that

[6:07:27] believe that said.

[6:07:27] that's it for positions however from

[6:07:28] from that there were few human

[6:07:32] resources position

[6:07:32] resources position, oneness have between

[6:07:33] between ems and halfs and part

[6:07:37] of

[6:07:37] of our homes.

[6:07:37] the 25% of that portion would be

[6:07:39] covered by the

[6:07:39] covered by the city

[6:07:40] covered by the city

[6:07:40] .

[6:07:40] in the ms positions would be that way

[6:07:44] that way of assessment. >> thank you for that

[6:07:46] >> thank you for that.

[6:07:46] I know it's great work and I know overtime is going to

[6:07:51] know overtime is going to be needed. We are really

[6:07:53] know overtime is going to be needed. We are really

[6:07:53] we are really looking out at to

[6:07:56] eat an

[6:07:56] eat an elephant because we saw the master

[6:07:56] the master plans and the cost needed for

[6:08:00] needed for services like these.

[6:08:01] these are hard ones to deal with the

[6:08:03] is

[6:08:04] is numbers of council. Were trying

[6:08:05] were trying to eat too many pieces

[6:08:07] pieces. Certainly

[6:08:07] certainly bridging the gap makes

[6:08:08] sense but during

[6:08:09] sense but during the gap to this

[6:08:10] extent

[6:08:11] extent and one fiscal calendar year

[6:08:13] year I think it's a whole lot did you

[6:08:14] did you. I'm going to be

[6:08:15] I'm going to be opposing the motion on

[6:08:16] motion on the table. >> thank you.

[6:08:20] motion on the table. >> thank you.

[6:08:20] councillor prue?

[6:08:21] >> as I said to a few people today I've

[6:08:26] today I've never been to a budget like this

[6:08:27] budget like this before in my 30 some years

[6:08:30] some years where everybody is

[6:08:33] adding

[6:08:33] adding into the budget. Usually

[6:08:33] usually cancels it around -- council

[6:08:37] council sit around and put it

[6:08:41] at an acceptable

[6:08:41] an acceptable level.

[6:08:41] right now it's acceptable at 2.25.

[6:08:45] right now it's acceptable at 2.25.

[6:08:45] I understand what the ms wants, I understand and

[6:08:51] I understand and appreciate what they

[6:08:51] they want.

[6:08:52] my wife and I both used their service

[6:08:55] service in the last two years, they are excellent

[6:08:56] they are excellent but I want

[6:08:58] to tell you,

[6:08:59] tell you, when you have a wish

[6:08:59] list

[6:09:00] list that is vetted by senior management

[6:09:02] management and is not there for a

[6:09:05] a reason, it's not there because they

[6:09:08] they didn't feel they could do it

[6:09:10] it and come in with a budget that

[6:09:10] that was reasonable. Had never seen

[6:09:13] had never seen anyone just go,

[6:09:14] right down

[6:09:15] right down the list and say they

[6:09:18] want all these

[6:09:18] want all these things can just give it

[6:09:19] give it to them. I

[6:09:20] I have never seen it.

[6:09:20] no conscience even though it might

[6:09:22] might be valuable, it will still be

[6:09:26] be there next year and if we have the

[6:09:26] have the money next year then we

[6:09:29] should

[6:09:29] should spend it then.

[6:09:31] I don't often care what happens

[6:09:33] because they

[6:09:33] because they don't treat us very almost often but I

[6:09:36] almost often but I can understand

[6:09:37] understand what councillor bailey's

[6:09:39] bailey's house to say here.

[6:09:42] you go and tell them... Is not going to

[6:09:47] going to bode well to continue negotiations

[6:09:49] negotiations if they ever do take

[6:09:51] take place.

[6:09:53] I don't think it's the wrong way to

[6:09:54] to do it. I appreciate

[6:09:57] I appreciate it's on the wish

[6:09:58] list

[6:09:58] list but not all wishes come true

[6:09:59] true. All

[6:09:59] all not -- I will now be supporting

[6:10:05] supporting this. >> I am not sure if

[6:10:08] >> I am not sure if adding that

[6:10:08] position

[6:10:10] position like to point to 5% right

[6:10:12] right now, do we know what it would be if we

[6:10:15] would be if we added this position

[6:10:17] position?

[6:10:17] as I understand, I'm seeing both sides,

[6:10:20] sides, I really am.

[6:10:21] it's a bit of a hard one for me

[6:10:23] because I

[6:10:24] because I supported ems, I see there is

[6:10:30] there is so much value added and

[6:10:34] everyone over

[6:10:34] everyone over family members and ourselves are

[6:10:34] ourselves are going to need them at some

[6:10:35] at some point.

[6:10:37] I am inclined to support this

[6:10:40] because

[6:10:40] because I have always supported

[6:10:41] ems

[6:10:43] ems and if it's not supported

[6:10:46] I do hope

[6:10:46] do hope that

[6:10:46] our chief may bring it

[6:10:48] it back to us, it's an extra need.

[6:10:53] it back to us, it's an extra need.

[6:10:53] I do believe that administration came to

[6:10:53] came to us with a really low-budget

[6:10:58] low-budget because they read the room

[6:10:59] room, it's an election year, the

[6:11:01] red the

[6:11:02] red the room and they wanted to

[6:11:02] get as

[6:11:02] get as many of their things past as

[6:11:07] as they could but I believe administration

[6:11:08] administration pulled a lot of items

[6:11:09] items out of the budget to get that

[6:11:09] that around 3%.

[6:11:13] do I think there is some needs

[6:11:15] in the list

[6:11:16] in the list that -- or someone

[6:11:19] 's --

[6:11:24] -- I don't know, I don't want to slip

[6:11:26] slip backwards and we are going

[6:11:28] in the

[6:11:28] in the right direction.

[6:11:29] did I talk long enough to get you

[6:11:30] you that number? No

[6:11:32] no?

[6:11:32] >> through you warden, adding

[6:11:41] that position would move

[6:11:41] that position would move us from

[6:11:41] 2.25% to

[6:11:46] 2.25% to 3.2%.

[6:11:48] the tax policy doesn't get approved

[6:11:50] approved until february so that

[6:11:51] can

[6:11:53] can slightly change.

[6:11:55] as it stands right now we would meet moving from

[6:11:56] meet moving from 2.25% to 2.32%

[6:12:03] . >> anyone else

[6:12:05] >> anyone else? In that case

[6:12:07] in that case will ask you to both electronically

[6:12:08] both electronically, please, for the motion

[6:12:10] the motion.

[6:12:10] and that is lost. Councillor deyong?

[6:12:26] and that is lost. Councillor deyong?

[6:12:26] >> may be last but not least I

[6:12:30] would like to make

[6:12:30] would like to make a motion for

[6:12:33] appendix

[6:12:34] appendix three. >> it's the

[6:12:41] >> it's the traffic signal signal county

[6:12:44] signal county 23.

[6:12:51] >> just to confirm roadway expansion

[6:13:10] expansion.

[6:13:10] so the motion is that the traffic

[6:13:38] traffic signal be added to the

[6:13:43] 2026 infrastructure and

[6:13:44] 2026 infrastructure and planning services

[6:13:44] services budget is outlined on line

[6:13:47] line ten of the appendix three of the

[6:13:49] of the treasury's report and that

[6:13:49] that is moved by counsellor the young looking for a

[6:13:53] young looking for a seconder. Councillor

[6:13:53] councillor meloche?

[6:13:56] [simultaneous talking]

[6:14:00] >> a la it over again, sorry.

[6:14:02] revised, refreshed, is the motion that

[6:14:06] motion that the traffic signal

[6:14:07] be

[6:14:10] be approved and funded from the

[6:14:12] road

[6:14:12] road to expansion reserving 2026 2026.

[6:14:17] road to expansion reserving 2026 2026.

[6:14:17] that is moved by councillor deyong and

[6:14:17] deyong and second by councillor

[6:14:24] meloche

[6:14:25] meloche. >> may be you

[6:14:30] >> may be you will have deja vu

[6:14:30] from a

[6:14:30] from a few minutes ago, but I'll try to keep

[6:14:31] try to keep it specific. From

[6:14:33] from the comments on the report

[6:14:36] there has been 19 collisions

[6:14:36] there has been 19 collisions including a

[6:14:36] including a fatality and multiple major

[6:14:38] multiple major injuries.

[6:14:40] the intersection already has oversight

[6:14:43] oversight stop signs and flashing

[6:14:43] flashing red beacons that are

[6:14:45] not preventing

[6:14:45] not preventing these incidences. At

[6:14:48] at the stretch of road is pretty

[6:14:52] much

[6:14:53] much a clear way connecting kingsville

[6:14:54] kingsville to harrow, there's

[6:14:56] not anything really slowing People

[6:14:56] people down the hall stretch and

[6:15:00] in

[6:15:01] in addition to the faculty at the actual intersection

[6:15:02] the actual intersection there has

[6:15:03] has been two deaths just this year

[6:15:05] year on either side of this intersection

[6:15:05] intersection. I

[6:15:05] I think having a light that makes

[6:15:11] makes people aware that this is a

[6:15:11] a place where other things happened besides just a

[6:15:15] happened besides just a straight through

[6:15:15] through will make that safer because people

[6:15:22] because people will have to slow down

[6:15:22] down for the site and against

[6:15:25] at something similarly

[6:15:25] something similarly funded but does it say

[6:15:27] does it say one time expense. >> any comments or questions

[6:15:33] >> any comments or questions?

[6:15:33] councillor bailey. >> I

[6:15:36] >> I was feverishly trying to go through my other

[6:15:38] through my other notes from my

[6:15:41] briefcase because

[6:15:42] briefcase because I do believe

[6:15:43] that

[6:15:43] that this was assessed and it was

[6:15:43] was on the list that we received but

[6:15:47] but I'm wondering where it was

[6:15:47] at on that

[6:15:47] at on that list. >> page

[6:15:50] >> page 33, number 10. >> sorry, I

[6:15:53] >> sorry, I was referring to the project

[6:15:55] project list. And will turn

[6:16:00] and will turn to the director.

[6:16:12]

[6:16:12] >> through you, I think I found

[6:16:28] it

[6:16:28] it here, number 42 on that vehicle

[6:16:29] vehicle list.

[6:16:30] I think my only question would be

[6:16:33] be when these were ranked as the top 100 intersections

[6:16:36] top 100 intersections, they were

[6:16:37] ranked in a

[6:16:38] ranked in a priority reading of this

[6:16:41] this number. I

[6:16:42] I see it sounded appendix b, I

[6:16:51] see it was ranked significantly

[6:16:52] see it was ranked significantly

[6:16:52] lower than many

[6:16:53] lower than many of the others so I'm just wondering

[6:16:53] I'm just wondering if you can speak

[6:16:54] speak to that. >> do you want to

[6:17:06] >> do you want to speak too?

[6:17:11] >> I remember we have dollars

[6:17:13] in --

[6:17:15] -- for the design of it in 2025,

[6:17:17] so maybe that's why

[6:17:17] so maybe that's why it's on a

[6:17:19] project

[6:17:19] project last seen but we do have the

[6:17:20] the design dollars, this would be the

[6:17:22] be the construction dollars from

[6:17:24] my understanding

[6:17:25] my understanding when we had a conversation

[6:17:26] conversation around this because I

[6:17:27] I did see it on the report.

[6:17:27] it was designed dollars not construction

[6:17:30] construction dollars.

[6:17:31] >> do we still need an answer

[6:17:37] or are you

[6:17:37] are you okay?

[6:17:38] thanks for looking, allen.

[6:17:41] no other questions then?

[6:17:45] can we get a seconder?

[6:17:47] I did not write it down, who was it

[6:17:51] it?

[6:17:51] we are looking to --

[6:18:03] [indiscernible]

[6:18:03] all right, then we are looking to vote

[6:18:07] to vote on the motion.

[6:18:08] that is carried, thank you.

[6:18:30] so, are there any other additions

[6:18:35] additions? If

[6:18:35] if not, we are at the point in time

[6:18:37] time where we could actually

[6:18:40] vote for the final budget. There is recommendation

[6:18:42] there is recommendation that the essex county

[6:18:45] essex county council... Approves the amount

[6:18:51] approves the amount of -- do you have a

[6:18:59] have a final number?

[6:18:59] okay.

[6:18:59] it got smaller, hang on a second second. A hundred

[6:19:09] it got smaller, hang on a second second. A hundred

[6:19:09] a hundred and 45 million, hundred and

[6:19:15] hundred and 44,000, 150.

[6:19:19] >> what she said.

[6:19:21] looking for a mover and seconder

[6:19:25] seconder.

[6:19:25] any discussion on the motion?

[6:19:30] did you want me to read it again

[6:19:34] again?

[6:19:34] I'll read it again.

[6:19:38] >> there it is, the motion is that

[6:20:02] that the county council approves as

[6:20:05] as amended the overall proposed

[6:20:07] 2026v requirement

[6:20:07] 2026v requirement for the county

[6:20:07] of essex

[6:20:10] of essex in the amount of $145,144,950 most

[6:20:16] $145,144,950 -- moved

[6:20:20] $145,144,950 -- moved by councillor

[6:20:21] councillor deyong. I'll ask you

[6:20:25] I'll ask you to vote electronically

[6:20:27] electronically, please.

[6:20:31] that is carried unanimously.

[6:20:41] well done.

[6:20:41] there are no items of unfinished

[6:20:48] business.

[6:20:48] for consideration for december

[6:20:52] december third

[6:20:53] december third 2025, any other

[6:20:53] mark Matters

[6:20:54] mark Matters

[6:20:54] matters of new business to bring

[6:20:55] forward?

[6:20:56] forward?

[6:20:56] >> it's just wondering where we

[6:21:01] stand with meeting

[6:21:01] stand with meeting with the hospital

[6:21:03] hospital, because we talked about it

[6:21:06] about it here at budget, we talked about

[6:21:06] talked about it and I'm wondering

[6:21:08] wondering if there's any follow-up from and

[6:21:09] follow-up from and mr. And from having

[6:21:09] having that's joint meeting, please and

[6:21:12] please and thanks. >> I

[6:21:16] >> I know we attempted twice this fall to

[6:21:16] this fall to have a joint meeting

[6:21:17] meeting with the city to have a

[6:21:19] presentation

[6:21:19] presentation about the hospital

[6:21:22] . Information

[6:21:22] information hasn't been finalized from

[6:21:26] finalized from that group and speaking with administration

[6:21:30] speaking with administration both of the

[6:21:30] both of the city and with windsor regional hospital

[6:21:33] windsor regional hospital, we

[6:21:33] want

[6:21:33] want to make sure this joint meeting is as meaningful and

[6:21:35] meeting is as meaningful and productive as

[6:21:35] productive as possible for both of

[6:21:37] of our councils.

[6:21:38] we had this conversation... It's expected that

[6:21:45] it's expected that windsor regional

[6:21:45] regional in operation with the

[6:21:48] province had more concrete Information

[6:21:49] province had more concrete Information

[6:21:49] information to share with us publicly

[6:21:50] publicly in the new year.

[6:21:51] at something we are definitely still

[6:21:53] still in connection with both

[6:21:58] windsor regional

[6:21:58] windsor regional in the city of windsor

[6:21:59] windsor on this topic.

[6:22:00] and wanting to make sure that the foregoing

[6:22:01] the foregoing to bring in every

[6:22:01] bite in the

[6:22:02] bite in the room together, it's a worthwhile conversation

[6:22:06] a worthwhile conversation. Stay tuned

[6:22:06] stay tuned and the hope is that

[6:22:09] in q1

[6:22:09] in q1 of 2026 we will be able

[6:22:10] to record

[6:22:10] record eight that joint meeting

[6:22:13] . >> anyone else

[6:22:17] >> anyone else or new business

[6:22:18] ?

[6:22:18] seeing him, there's one bylaw

[6:22:20] for the

[6:22:20] for the kenny consideration this afternoon

[6:22:21] afternoon that will be read by the

[6:22:24] the county clerk. >> bylaw

[6:22:26] >> bylaw number 2025, being a

[6:22:29] pilot

[6:22:29] pilot you can from proceedings of the

[6:22:29] of the council of the corporation

[6:22:31] corporation... For december december third

[6:22:35] december third 2025. >> motion

[6:22:40] >> motion is a recommendation that

[6:22:41] that counsel -- bylaw two '02

[6:22:45] 553 be given through readings And

[6:22:45] and have being read a second and

[6:22:50] third time, finally

[6:22:50] third time, finally passed and

[6:22:50] enacted

[6:22:52] enacted, looking for a mover and

[6:22:53] seconder

[6:22:53] seconder.

[6:22:53] counselor mcnamara, second by --

[6:23:02] -- you'll have to vote electronically

[6:23:03] electronically.

[6:23:03] that is carried.

[6:23:20] any notices of motion to be introduced

[6:23:21] introduced for december third

[6:23:24] 2025?

[6:23:24] seeing non, all matters of businesses

[6:23:28] businesses have been addressed

[6:23:28] . The motion

[6:23:29] the motion is that essex county

[6:23:33] council meeting

[6:23:33] council meeting for december december third

[6:23:33] december third 2025 to be adjourned

[6:23:34] adjourned at 3:22 p.m.

[6:23:36] moved bank councillor gibb, counsellor

[6:23:42] counsellor verbeke, that is carried,

[6:23:46] carried, thank you.

County of Essex 2026 Advocacy Priorities - Essex County Council - Regular Meeting

Agenda

Transcript