Essex County approves 2026 budget with 2.25 per cent increase

Essex County council met last Wednesday night to discuss the 2026 budget. When the meeting concluded, there was a 2.25 per cent increase for the county portion of the tax rate.

It took over six hours but the County of Essex has approved its 2026 budget.

Essex County council voted to spend $145,144,950 next year which is up from $140,043,690 in 2025. The vote was taken at the county’s budget meeting held last Wednesday night in Essex.

Overall, the county has a 2.25 percent increase to the tax rate.

“Our goal remains simple – maintain stability, deliver value and plan responsibly for the future,” said director of financial services/treasurer Melissa Ryan. “We want to make sure our financial decisions continue to align with council’s priorities and community needs.”

In 2025 the county’s operating budget was $92,745,240 and that will jump to $98,811,780. The net capital budget was $47,298,450 which increases slightly to $48,905,770.

In her presentation to council, Ryan noted that there continues to be steady growth pressures in both infrastructure and services.

Warden Hilda MacDonald said that the 2026 budget takes into consideration the county’s strategic priorities in a challenging economic environment while maintaining services. 

“Reviewing and setting the budget is one of the most important tasks council performs,” said MacDonald.

Breaking down the various departments, Infrastructure and Planning will take up 38 percent of the overall budget, 28 percent goes to External Commitments, 12 percent to EMS, 10 percent to Long Term Care, seven percent to Corporate and Community Services and five percent to the Library Board.

There will be a drop in the reserve funds which was $318.5 million in 2025 and that will dip to $262.37 in 2026.

One of the departments that raised a lot of concerns from Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue was the Essex-Windsor EMS of which the county is responsible for managing in a trade off with the City of Windsor that takes care of housing.

In his budget report to council, Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Justin Lammers had requested a new position of commander of operations which was not approved.

“I appreciate it is on the wish list, but not all wishes come true,” said Prue.

However, an EMS position of Community Programs Co-Ordinator was approved and supported by Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb. That task requires the co-ordinator to back the new defibrillator program.

“I feel we have done so much work on the community defibrillator program, that to see it fail by the wayside would be a shame. Building community resilience, I think that is important especially when EMS is stretched,” commented Gibb.

Essex County approves 2026 budget with 2.25 per cent increase

By Fred Groves