Council Notes

amount presented to County Council on December 7.

It notes in the report that while the total Library Board levy requirement remains unchanged from the December 7, 2022 presentation, amendments were made to increase wages and benefits to account for a combination of increased staffing hours established in 2022 and the impact of wage increases resulting from a settled Job Evaluation/Pay Equity arbitration.

To fund the increased costs, Essex County Library’s 2023 proposed Budget includes a transfer from Library’s Rate Stabilization Reserve of around $240,000 to temporarily fund the impact of increased service hours and pay equity adjusted wage rates, it continues.

Operations will be monitored and analyzed during 2023 to determine if levy funding will be sought from the County in the 2024 Budget.

Deputy Warden, and Deputy Mayor of Tecumseh, Joe Bachetti, explained this was a way of not having those additional funds for the Essex County Library come out of the 2023 Budget. As the new Chairperson of the Essex County Library Board, he believes there is confidence in achieving targets in 2024.

In addition, Zwiers said the County expected its Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) grant to remain the same as 2022. It was, however, reduced by the maximum of 15 percent.

As a result, the 2023 Budget overstates OCIF grant funding by $312,388. In 2023, the County will receive $1,770,202, compared to the $2,082,590 it received in 2022.

Based on an administrative review and discussion, the shortfall in 2023 is recommended to be covered by a transfer from the Capital Reserve to preserve the portion of the capital program supported by OCIF grant funds, Zwiers explained.

Over the years, Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said, the County has been prudent in its investments and has built the Rate Stabilization Fund to deal with surprises, such as the matters presented.

Warden, Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald, said she always worries when reserves are used for operations.

Mayor Sherry Bondy declared a Conflict of Interest, and did not vote on the matter, as she was formally employed by the Essex County Library Board.

Three new positions approved for the County of Essex

Acting CAO Mary Birch explained through approving departmental budgets at the December 7 meeting, County Council approved four new positions.

Those positions still need to come before Council as per the Hiring Policy.

The four positions include a Records and Management Analyst, a Human Resources Assistant, an IT professional, and a mechanic/operator to service the fleets for the Infrastructure Services Department and EMS.

All positions needed to be approved during the meeting, with the exception of the IT professional, as a Service Delivery Review will be conducted first to get a better idea of the job description, Birch explained.

County Council approved three positions and authorized starting the recruitment process.