Essex County Council has passed its 2019 budget with a small tax increase.
County officials said the tax increase of 1.43 per cent is less than the 1.8 per cent annual rate of inflation and works out to an increase of $13.63 on a home assessed at $200,000. The County also boasts the tax rate is below average when compared to local municipalities.
The $103 million budget includes $3.89-million for the proposed new hospital, which represents a $1.2-million boost compared to funding provided last year.
“We are investing in the future,” said County Warden Gary McNamara. “That hospital will dramatically improve health care for Essex County residents for generations to come.”
The budget also has improvements to roads, an expanding trail network, and provides a much-needed $1-million boost to the region’s affordable housing stock.
“This budget lays the foundation for future growth and development, positioning the County as an attractive place for businesses to invest and for families to live,” said McNamara. “It is a financially sustainable plan that builds on the County’s excellent credit rating and promotes quality of life issues that matter to residents, like roads, active living, and health care.”
McNamara said he was proud the County was taking steps to shore up its stock of affordable housing, which is aging and needs repairs.
“We have an obligation as a caring, compassionate community to provide support to those who need it,” said McNamara. “The affordable housing crunch is a province-wide problem, but it is one the County is committed to addressing.”
Tecumseh has also approved its 2019 budget.
The tax increase is just under two per cent. Municipal officials said there will be no service cuts.