The Essex Region Conservation Authority's $12.8-million draft budget calls for consistent funding at this year's level and an accumulated surplus to help ease pressure on member municipalities' budgets.
"The province has requested that each conservation authority prepare its 2027 budget on the same basis as 2026 and have it approved by its existing Board of Directors before December 31, 2026," said CAO Tim Byrne. "Accordingly, ERCA's 2027 budget is presented as a status quo, full-year budget, without incorporating transition costs, merger-related financial impacts, or potential changes to governance, staffing, service delivery , systems integration, assets, liabilities, reserves, or funding requirements."
The Essex Region Conservation Authority is expected to merge with the Lower Thames Valley, St. Clair Region, and Upper Thames River Conservation Authorities on February 1, 2027. The new authority will be called the Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority.
Byrne is cautioning municipalities in Essex County that ERCA has traditionally operated with a lower household levy rate than neighbouring conservation authorities. When they merge, he says municipalities here may see the levy increase as costs are harmonized with the new authority.
"This is based on the assumption that most shared operating costs would continue to be apportioned using modified current value assessment, while recognizing that certain costs may be directly allocated where appropriate," said Byrne. "Under that assumption, and given ERCA's historically lower household levy rate and lower-cost operating model, municipalities in the current ERCA jurisdiction may experience upward adjustment."
He says any future impacts will be decided by the new conservation authority.
Projects highlighted in the budget include ongoing restoration and climate resiliency works at Hillman Marsh and the Detroit River wetlands, invasive species management, the restoration of 70 acres of habitat, and the planting of 50,000 trees.
ERCA will also continue to monitor watershed health and deliver an agricultural incentive program for best farming management practices.
Habitat and trail enhancements at the Collavino Conservation Area and the continued restoration of the John R. Park Homestead are also on the list.
Mandatory programs and services accounted for $545,930 of the budget, up $67,000. That will be funded through the budget surplus.
