The 2025 operating and capital budgets have been approved in principle and Amherstburg taxpayers face a 5.12 per cent increase.
After a five-hour meeting Monday night and a full day of budget deliberations Tuesday, town council approved the budget in principle with Mayor Michael Prue adding there could be some changes to that number if new revenue comes in.
The 5.12 per cent increase translates into an increase of $144.78 per $250,000 or $57.90 per $100,000 per year.
The total operating budget is over $61.8 million, with chief financial officer/treasurer Tracy Prince stating the town “can estimate that it would be a net $57,400 reduction on total collectible tax levy”. She added “we have not completed all the adjustments into the spreadsheet.”
The budget is expected to be formally approved in January.
Votes to approve both the capital and operating budgets were done separately with both passing in 6-1 votes. Prue, Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb, Councillor Don McArthur, Councillor Molly Allaire, Councillor Linden Crain and Councillor Peter Courtney while Councillor Diane Pouget was opposed.
“It was very tough,” Courtney said of the budget talks. “It was very tough to balance needs versus wants.”
Courtney credited administration for coming in with the 5.3 per cent starting point but admitted he would have liked to have seen more cuts.
“I was hoping for bigger reductions,” he said. “It was very tough to get everyone on council to find ways to make cuts. It didn’t happen.”
Courtney did credit his fellow council members for doing what they could. He said they operate as a team and did what they could during the two days of deliberations.
Entering budget deliberations, the mayor added he had a goal of coming it at around 4.5 per cent or less, but added council did its best.
“It is a very tough budget. We cut what we could,” he said. “The rest has to stand.”
Other local municipalities with OPP policing got help from the province, Prue said, while a reduction in Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund grant money hit the town to the tune of 1.19 per cent. Other costs are “enormous,” he added, citing inflation and paying the construction index rate among other factors.
“We’re getting hammered,” he said. “We dealt with what we control.”
Prue added it was one of the hardest budget processes he has been through in his municipal career. He noted MPAC not going through a re-assessment again this year impacted municipal budgets as well.
Flowers
Town council debated the town floral program and the students it takes to maintain it. In the end, council kept the program and the $88,600 costs in the budget.
Allaire was against removing it from the budget but wondered if the town uses a local farmer to supply the plants. She said she wanted to support Amherstburg farmers. Area greenhouses are used, replied director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon.
Baillargeon said they follow procurement policies to secure the plant materials. Pouget wanted to know if the growers would have access to bidding on the flowers and Baillargeon responded they would.
Courtney said he was looking for efficiencies within the budget, noting complaints over students watering baskets on rainy days or street sweepers on streets with no leaves on them. He suggested using artificial flowers in baskets.
“You still have the aesthetics of a beautiful downtown without the costs and upkeep,” he said.
Storage could be used in the same spot where Christmas décor would go, with storage space alternating uses. Courtney said it is the “nurturing of the flowers” that is the expense, and there could be a better place to utilize student staff.
“I want real flowers,” said Prue. “I think they are far more beautiful. They are environmentally friendly.”
Prue said hanging baskets have to be watered “every other day” to keep them vibrant. Cutting watering back to twice a week could happen, but anything less than that could cause the flowers to shrivel and die.
Courtney said the running vehicles used to water the planters are not environmentally friendly and fake flowers could still provide the town with beauty. He wanted the latter investigated.
McArthur said he wanted to keep the flowers and said he was concerned about “the postcard picture of Amherstburg with the live, beautiful flowers.” He said he didn’t support fake flowers and said he doesn’t like artificial grass on medians.
“We have a beautiful town with beautiful flowers. We win awards for it,” he said. “The residents love it. The tourists love it.”
The item was left in the budget on a 6-1 vote, with Courtney the lone opposition.
Portable toilet reduction flushed
A suggestion to reduce the number of portajohns by six units, at a cost savings of $11,100, was not recommended by senior administration and town council agreed. Allaire said she was opposed to a reduction, particularly in parks that don’t have bathrooms. Baillargeon said in talking to parents or user groups, the portajohns are used heavily.
Allaire suggested moving portable toilets around and seeing if one could be used at Beaudoin Park in River Canard. She said the park is heavily used and could use a portable washroom. McArthur said it “was a good idea” and supported it, with the motion passing.
Pouget wondered if taking a portajohn from the Libro Centre and moving it to Beaudoin Park could cause a problem at the Libro Centre. Courtney noted there are washroom facilities at the Libro Centre such as the outdoor field house. He added he agreed parks should have portajohns if they don’t have buildings with washrooms in them.
Rec co-ordinator
Town council voted in favour of having a permanent part-time recreation co-ordinator at a cost of $30,729.
Manager of recreation services Trese MacNeil said programs are seeing high enrolment, noting information is getting out to residents in a timely fashion.
McArthur said he found it “sort of alarming” that if the position is not made permanent, the town would not be able to honour its commitment to the province’s Senior Active Living Centre (SALC) thus putting future grants in jeopardy.
Baillargeon said last year’s position was a contract one, with three separate grants helping to offset wages. There are requests for new programs at the Libro Centre as well, she added, with more programs offered thanks to the position.
Courtney voiced a concern the position could grow further, and wondered if a recommendation to make it full-time would come next year. He said “it’s the snowball effect” and wanted to see it held as a part-time job for at least a few years. MacNeil said recreation co-ordinator positions in the region are “typically part-time.”
Prue questioned the $30,000 cost, noting the SALC grant covers $10,000 for the next five years. He asked why not budget $20,000, but MacNeil said there are opportunities to grow even further with programming opportunities. Chief financial officer/treasurer Tracy Prince said revenue from the grant is not guaranteed, as applications for the grant still have to go in every year.
If the Libro Centre is going to be closed on holidays, the remaining hours have to be maximized, added Gibb, who wanted to put the cost into programming. Allaire noted she is seeing an increase of usage of facilities like the Libro Centre.
McArthur said he didn’t want to sell seniors short and offer the programs they were promised.
Building permits
Town administration has projected a $123,100 decrease in building permit revenue and that was built into the budget. The issue paper said this is a decrease from the 2023 base budget and it continued throughout 2024 with a slowdown in the region, specifically residential. Prue questioned that, stating he sees activity such as moving the Howard Industrial park forward and trying for a grant for the southeast quadrant.
“There’s a lot going on in this town. I don’t see the $123,100 (decrease). I don’t see it but that’s the way it is,” he said.
Mosquitoes
Town council voted against a service level cut of $55,000 for a mosquito control program in the Fraserville area, with senior administration also not recommending it.
The source of the mosquito problem was discussed with Courtney wondering if Texas Road is getting hit with mosquito problems like Fraserville has. Manager of roads and fleet Eric Chamberlain outlined the program where pellets are released into the lands and areas impacted. Chamberlain indicated a collaborative effort between the town and industrial land holdings in the area is helpful. Allaire asked administration to reach out to Amherstburg Land Holdings about their mosquito control efforts and report back to council.
Pouget said regular reviews used to be done but that has stopped coming to council. She asked administration about the remedial process and outcome for the industrial lands. CAO Valerie Critchley said Amherstburg Land Holdings had to work with the Ministry of Environment on a remediation plan and that was completed.
Prue said he supported keeping the funding in the budget as Fraserville residents need relief from mosquitoes. He said this area is “hotspot” for diseases like West Nile Virus and “we have to not only stop the nuisance of being bit, but the consequences of being bit.”
Prue said the problem has to be stopped and said mosquitoes come from stagnant water. For this year, the money has to be spent to keep people safe.
Snow removal
Town council agreed with an administrative recommendation and did not cut $30,000 in sidewalk snow removal costs. Allaire had questions over snow depths with Chamberlain wanting to minimize snow hazards.
Pouget said at one time, it was up to residents and businesses to take care of their own snow removal. Issues began on Front Road North and residents were at risk of getting hit along a four-lane highway while trying to clear snow. She was told that the program was told every sidewalk was then designated for snow removal so there wouldn’t be different service levels in some parts of town than others.
Courtney called for a compromise, stating new sidewalks are being added with every new subdivision. He noted lawns and sprinklers are getting damaged by sidewalk snow removal equipment, though he didn’t blame the operator. He said if most of Windsor-Essex County can have snow removal bylaws, he questioned why Amherstburg couldn’t have one.
“I believe there are certain areas that do require this,” he said, adding he doesn’t want to do them all. He suggested re-implementing a sidewalk snow removal bylaw, and that it was a great way to have younger residents interact with older residents and shovel sidewalks.
McArthur said it is a “vital service” and wanted to keep the program. He said he didn’t want a “patchwork” of sidewalk maintenance, noting that it benefits many seniors.
“We have a system that works now,” he said.
“I think it’s an excellent service we provide to our residents,” added Gibb.
Gibb said there are liability issues, and that he does not want to see seniors or those with physical challenges out shovelling sidewalks. He believed it provides accessibility for residents, adding he sees people in wheelchairs going up and down Sandwich St. S. in the winter.
“It’s an accessibility issue above all for me,” said the deputy mayor.
Crain also opposed removing the program, stating the “system works.” He said the sidewalk snow removal program removes accessibility barriers and makes Amherstburg stand out.
Staff will also come back with a report over the next year on a “snow angel” program be looked at as to returning to a sidewalk shovelling program.
Belle Vue
Town council discussed the $110,000 in the capital budget regarding Belle Vue. Courtney called it “a white elephant” but said this issue requires money as it is for “the overall benefit of the municipality going forward.” It is for disposition related matters, he indicated.
Prue said there is a March deadline for the proponent to finalize a “good offer to us.” He said the town has to know the minimum costs that the town can accept, adding any archeological and endangered species issues have to be known and studied.
“No matter what we do, we have to know that. It’s a wise expenditure of funds,” he said.
Belle Vue is the subject of negotiations between the town and the Amico-Loop group on a proposal the latter has for the lands and the historic mansion.
Prue acknowledged his wife is president of the Belle Vue Conservancy but said he did not have a conflict. Pouget declared conflict due to her home’s proximity to the site.
Gordon House improvements
A total of $65,000 will come from reserves this year to help get improvements started to the Gordon House with an additional $100,000 earmarked in 2026, $50,000 in 2027 and 2028, $250,000 in 2029 and 2030.
Safety issues such as fire escapes and handrails would be done first, with manager of facilities Terry Fasan stating the architect the town is consulting recommends $800,000 in work overall.
Allaire voiced frustration with the maintenance costs, stating while she enjoys the history of the town, she questioned how much the town should pay.
“This seems like an asset we kind of need to get rid of,” she said, noting ERCA actually owns the land it sits on.
Voting to approve the maintenance funds for this year, Allaire wanted more information regarding land ownership. She referenced Belle Vue as she called the Gordon House as another “white elephant” in Amherstburg.
Critchley pointed out a previous report had been written by administration on the subject that could be provided to town council.
Gibb also questioned the Gordon House’s future.
“Once we can address the space needs of town hall, that building may become empty. Then we can start looking for another life for it,” he said. “Obviously we can’t let it rot in the meantime. We’re on the same wave length. I think we need to start what we’re going to do with that building long-term. I’d like to see it not be a municipal building.”
Critchley said the tourism department was not envisioned moving from the Gordon House in the space needs study due to its downtown location. She added it was not factored into new town hall discussions either.
Courtney believed the town should look at the issue deeper, due to the $800,000 needed to restore the historic building.
Administration was asked for a report on future options for the property.
By Ron Giofu
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