The Corporation of the Town of Essex

Special Council Meeting Minutes

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Location: Essex Municipal Building, 33 Talbot Street South
Present:
  • Mayor Sherry Bondy
  • Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley
  • Ward 1 Councillor Joe Garon
  • Ward 1 Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais
  • Ward 2 Councillor Kim Verbeek
  • Ward 3 Councillor Brad Allard
  • Ward 3 Councillor Jason Matyi
  • Ward 4 Councillor Rodney Hammond
Also Present:
  • Doug Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Joseph Malandruccolo, Director, Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk
  • Lori Chadwick, Director, Development Services
  • Kevin Girard, Director, Infrastructure Services
  • Kate Giurissevich, Director, Corporate Services
  • Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services
  • Cassandra Roy, Legislative Clerk
  • Ann Marie Unis, Manager, Finance and Business
  • Maddy Tulett, Financial Analyst, Finance & Business Services
  • Jack Barron, Manager, Information Technology
  • Jacey Brockman, Deputy Fire Chief
  • Rodney Klie, Manager, Parks and Facilities
  • Norm Nussio, Manager, Operations and Drainage
  • Cynthia Cakebread, Manager, Recreation and Culture
  • David McBeth, Manager, Capital Works & Asset Management
  • Rob Mackie, Manager, Environmental Services

​Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request.  Please contact the Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or 519-776-7336 extension 1100 or 1101.

 

The purpose of this meeting was to conduct a walkthrough of the 2025 Town of Essex Budget.

1.
Call to Order

 

Mayor Bondy called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.

2.
Land Acknowledgement

 

We acknowledge that this land is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations (comprised of the Ojibway, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi Peoples), and of the Huron-Wendat Peoples. We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.

3.
Declarations of Conflict of Interest

 

There were no declarations of conflict of interest noted at this time.

4.
Adoption of Published Agenda

 

4.1
Special Council Meeting Agenda for November 25, 2024

 
  • SP24-11-004
    Moved ByCouncillor Garon
    Seconded ByCouncillor Matyi

    That the published agenda for the November 25, 2024 Special Council Meeting be adopted as presented.

    Carried

5.
Reports from Administration

 

5.1
Kate Giurissevich, Director, Corporate Services/Treasurer

This item has attachments. 
1.2025 Proposed Budget and 4-year Forecast.pdf

RE: 2025 Proposed Budget

Doug Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer, explained that the 2025 Town of Essex Draft Operating and Capital Budget reflects service efforts designed to achieve Council's strategic priorities. CAO Doug Sweet advised that Administration continues to focus on ensuring the Town of Essex has efficient and effective systems in place to support responsible growth.

Kate Giurissevich, Director, Corporate Services/Treasurer provided a walkthrough of the proposed 2025 Operating and Capital Budgets. She discussed the Operating Budget outlining the proposed tax rate, county comparators and consumer price index (CPI). The Capital Budget walkthrough focused on funding sources, asset management, reserves, proposed debt levels, a financial indicator review, and a proposed project summary which was provided by each corresponding department manager.

  • SP24-11-005
    Moved ByDeputy Mayor Shepley
    Seconded ByCouncillor Garon

    That the Report entitled 2025 Proposed Budget, by Kate Giurissevich, Director, Corporate Services/Treasurer be received.

    Carried

6.
Public Presentations

 

6.1
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment Board External Committee

 

RE: 2025 Proposed Budget for the OPP Detachment Board

Dave Kiger, Vice Chair, Town Appointed Representative, OPP Detachment Board External Committee, provided Council with an overview of the new OPP Detachment Board that replaced the Police Service Board in early 2024 and provided the 2025 proposed budget for the OPP Detachment Board.

  • SP24-11-006
    Moved ByDeputy Mayor Shepley
    Seconded ByCouncillor Verbeek

    That the presentation by Dave Kiger, Vice Chair, Town Appointed Representative, OPP Detachment Board External Committee be received.

    Carried

6.2
Essex Centre Business Improvement Area (BIA) Board

 

RE: 2025 Proposed Budget for the Essex Centre BIA Board

Stephanie Winger, Chair, Essex Centre BIA, provided a walkthrough of the 2025 proposed budget for the Essex Centre BIA Board. The Essex Centre BIA proposed a 2.2% increase on the BIA Levy and proposed an increase to the annual cap to $6,300.

  • SP24-11-007
    Moved ByCouncillor McGuire-Blais
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allard

    That the presentation by Stephanie Winger, Chair, Essex Centre BIA be received.

    Carried

7.
Adjournment

 
  • SP24-11-008
    Moved ByCouncillor Matyi
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hammond

    That the meeting be adjourned at 7:40 PM.

    Carried
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