Budget
2012 Budget Delivers Modest Tax Increase
Essex County Council has approved its 2012 Budget, a modest 2.26% increase for the residential tax rate. With a net levy of $73.6 million, the budget provides a fiscally responsible plan that provides for measured growth of infrastructure funding as well as essential service expansion while minimizing the impact on the ratepayers of Essex County. With this budget, Council continues its commitment to maintaining extremely low debt levels, managed capital asset replacement and stable reserve positions.
Multi-year arbitrated wage adjustments and mandatory increases in pensions and benefits were the most significant pressures to impact departmental budgets. Continuation of the County’s long-term commitment to expansion of roadway capacity was also a considerable factor. Further, relative assessment growth in the County (as compared to the City of Windsor) has caused a shift in cost-sharing towards the County for shared cost of regional services.
To mitigate the operational increases, the Facility Asset Renewal allocation was reduced by $800,000. Additionally, one-time expenditures have been funded by the Corporation’s reserves, and external funding sources have been exploited for 2012 capital and operating expenditures.
Despite the financial challenges, the budget continues to provide $600,000 of long term funding of “bricks and mortar” projects for Hospice, the John McGivney Children’s Centre, the Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital – Angioplasty Unit and the Windsor Regional Hospital – Mental Health Facility. In addition, the Budget includes $100,000 in support of the International Children’s Games, a three-year commitment totaling $300,000.
The planned Provincial upload of Social Services costs and increases to subsidy at the Sun Parlor Home provided additional financial opportunities to offset operational increases, and the following additional services in the 2012 budget:
- The scope of municipal transportation services has expanded to include more active modes of transportation (bicycles, pedestrians) in a safe and sustainable manner. The annual allocation was increased in 2012 by $100,000 to provide additional funds to accelerate the implementation of County Wide Active Transportation plans.
- Escalating costs have hindered the amount of rehabilitation work that can be accomplished within a fixed budget of $7.1 million. Based on current price models and the condition rating of the pavements, culverts and bridges, the appropriate level of funding should be targeted at $8 million. $200,000 has been added as an incremental move toward this target level.
- Additional lane kilometers, roundabouts and increased frequency of winter weather events have necessitated an increase of $250,000 to the Winter Control budget.
- Continued budgetary pressures are expected for the 2013 Budget. To moderate the impact of expected 2013 increases, and to allow for 2012 Budget risks, including the possibility of escalating fuel prices, an allocation of $500,000 has been included in the 2012 budget.
Residents can expect the County portion of their municipal property tax bill to increase by 2.26%. On a property assessed at $200,000, the impact will be an increase of approximately $18 (total County taxes = $859). How your 2012 County Tax Dollars Work for You.
The County Budget is available online (click on one of the following links), and can be provided in alternative formats upon request.
Gross Expenditures by Department Pie Chart
Levy by Municipality Pie Graph
Residential Tax Rate vs County Levy
Transportation Services Infrastructure Expansion
2012 County of Essex Budget Presentation
For prior year budget documents please follow the links along the right-hand column.
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