A reduction of service by the Essex Region Conservation Authority will result in a 12 per cent reduction of the municipal portion of its budget this year.
The ERCA board approved its draft budget for 2024 at a board meeting last week. it includes a number of mandatory programs and services related to risks of natural hazards, flood and erosion protection, maintenance of conservation land and source water protection.
The two programs that are not contained within the draft 2024 budget are Land Acquisition and Agricultural Stewardship and Outreach. The Agricultural Stewardship and Outreach program will be paused in 2024 because of a lack of support from member municipalities. Two of the nine municipalities did not support the program.
The program will be reconsidered for 2025.
"The 2024 draft budget continues to prioritize delivery of core mandatory programs and services. In addition, repair and replacement of infrastructure such as bridges and culverts, and ongoing restoration work that is necessary for the museum and heritage buildings at the John R. Park Homestead,” said Tim Byrne, ERCA CAO.
ERCA's 2024 budget totals $8.9 million which includes $3.3 million of municipal funding. That's a 12.7 per cent reduction from last year.
In 2024, the authority plans to start wetland and shoreline restoration work at Hillman Marsh, update policies to address new types of Significant Drinking Water Threats, plant more than 50,000 trees and make updates to the authority's website.
