Early look at county budget has 6.37% increase
When Essex County Council sits down to take a good hard look at the 2025 budget, it will come with what many consider a lot more transparency.
On Wednesday during the pre-budget approval discussion, director of financial services/treasurer Melissa Ryan reported that during last year’s budget process, council expressed a clear desire for a more transparent process to support informed decision making.
Ryan noted that administration undertook a review to enhance key elements of the budget process, ensuring greater clarity and accessibility for council.
“I think you really listened to the struggles we had last year. I’m looking forward to starting early and having my faculties throughout the process. I felt it was so fast last year,” said Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kim DeYong.
Heading into the Nov. 28 budget meeting, Essex County residents are looking at a 6.37 per cent increase which is trimmed down considerably from the August figures which was projecting an 11.16 per cent hike.
The county is looking at an approximate $11.5 million increase in spending next year. Of that $4 million is earmarked for contractual increases, $950,000 will go towards increase in spending to addresses asset management plan and $1.5 million into expansion plan for reserves.
“The items identified in the report that are included in this increase will be discussed in detail at the county deliberations on Nov. 28,” explained Ryan.
While councillors got a copy of the budget late last week, the public will have access to it Nov. 14 either through the county’s website or picking up a copy at the county building in Essex.
“How big is the budget? How many pages will we be reading when we get it?” asked Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue.
Ryan said it was 168-pages in length and anyone who wanted a printed copy could get one.
One of the concerns county council had carried over from last year was that new positions were not part of the pre-budget process. This year it is and during last week’s meeting the following new hires were considered – EMS logistics technician, EMS manager of employee wellness, IT business analyst, infrastructure and planning services co-op student and an increase in hours for a food services worker at the Sun Parlour Home.
In her pre-budget report, Ryan noted that in the past, each department budget was approved following its presentation which caused some confusion.
This year, councillors have the option of approving or disapproving a departmental budget.
By Fred Groves
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