Revised Agenda - Essex County Council, Regular Meeting

Meeting #:

Date:

Wednesday, March 04, 2026

Time:

6:00 P.m. - 11:00 P.m.

Location:

Council Chambers, 2nd Floor

360 Fairview Avenue West

Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6

https://video.isilive.ca/countyofessex/live.html

Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request. Contact Clerk’s Office, [email protected], 519-776-6441 extension 1353

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1.

Call to Order 

A Closed Meeting has been scheduled for 5:00PM. 

2.

Moment of Reflection

3.

Singing of ‘O Canada’

4.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

We acknowledge the land on which the County of Essex is located is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomie Peoples. 

We specifically recognize Caldwell First Nation and other First Nations which have provided significant historical and contemporary contributions to this region. 

We also value the contributions of all Original Peoples of Turtle Island, who have been living and working on this land from time immemorial.

5.

Recording of Attendance

6.

County Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

7.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

8.

Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the February 18, 2026 Essex County Council Regular Meeting.

• Recommendation:

  That the minutes of the February 18, 2026 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council be adopted as presented.

9.

Delegations and Presentations

• Recommendation:

  That the order of the agenda for March 4, 2026 be amended, to consider the Administrative Report listed as item 12.1 Introduction of Employee Excellence Awards under Delegations and Presentations item 9.1 . 

9.1

Employee Excellence Awards

Recipients of the County of Essex Employee Excellence Awards will be present, to receive their respective awards and recognition. 

To be considered with Reports and Questions item 12.1

9.2

Green Bin Program Fees

Doug Doher, resident of the County of Essex to provide a presentation regarding Green Bin Program Fees.

10.

Communications

10.1

Correspondence

• Recommendation:

  That the correspondence listed on the Regular Agenda for March 4, 2026, be received and any noted action approved. 

10.1.1

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

• AMO Watchfile Newsletter
• AMO Policy Advocacy Updates
• AMO Education Workshops
• AMO Training Events

10.1.2

Municipal Pre-Election Candidate Information Session

Registration is Now Open! Visit the County of Essex website for more information on the Municipal Pre-Election Candidate Information Session

• Date: April 8, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• Location: County of Essex Administration Building, 360 Fairview Ave West, Essex, ON
• How to Sign up: Fill out the event Registration Form There are options for Virtual or In-Person Attendance

10.1.3

Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU)

NEWS RELEASE: WECHU is launching its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, a guide that outlines how WECHU will support and improve public health over the next five years.

10.1.4

Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA)

NEWS RELEASE: 2026 Board of Directors Announcement

10.1.5

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI)

• W.E. Keep You Informed: Just Released: Destination Playbook, Staycation Registration is NOW OPEN & MUCH More!
• Last Chance to Vote for the Best of Windsor Essex Awards + March Break Fun, Maple Month & More!

10.1.6

Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF)

Resolutions to review and extend OCIF Funding for municipalities:

• Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
• Town of Fort Frances

10.1.7

Bill 21, Protect Our Food Act, 2025

Resolution in support of Bill 21:

• Township of Southgate

10.1.8

Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus (WOWC)

WOWC News

10.1.9

County Road 42 Project

Project update: February 25, 2026

10.2

Resolutions

There are no Resolutions for consideration for March 4, 2026

11.

Consent Agenda

• Recommendation:

  That the Administrative Reports listed as items 11.1 and 11.2 on the Consent Agenda for March 4, 2026 be received and approved. 

11.1

Update-City of Windsor 2026 Budget-Residential Services Homes (RSH) Per Diem Rate

Report number 2026-0304-FIN-R07-MR, Update-City of Windsor 2026 Budget-Residential Services Homes (RSH) Per Diem Rate, dated March 4, 2026, from Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer

11.2

Summary of Outstanding Matters - March 4, 2026

Report number 2026-0604-LLS-R18-KH, Summary of Outstanding Matters, dated March 4, 2026 from Katherine Hebert, County Clerk

12.

Reports and Questions

12.1

Employee Excellence Awards 2026

Report number 2026-0304-LLS-R13-DM, Employee Excellence Awards 2026, dated March 4, 2026 from Don McArthur, Manager, Communication and Organizational Development

To be considered with Delegations and Presentations item 9.1.

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2026-0304-LLS-R13-DM, Employee Excellence Awards for 2025 as information.

12.2

Financial Implications of Proposed Motion for Green Bin User Fee Funding from Reserves

Report number 2026-0304-FIN-R08-MR, Financial Implications of Proposed Motion for Green Bin User Fee Funding from Reserves, dated March 4, 2026 from Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer. 

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2026-0304-FIN-R08-MR, Financial Implications Related to Funding the Green Bin Program from Reserves as information, and further:

  Option 1

  That Essex County Council direct administration to charge the updated deposits and fees from the date of approval of the By-law.

  Option 2

  That Essex County Council direct administration to charge the updated deposits and fees from the date of approval of the By-law; and,

  That Essex County Council approve providing a subsidy for the Green Bin User Fee of 10% of the total cost of the Green Bin User Fee for Phase 1 municipalities for the 2026 budget year to be paid from the Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund; and,

  That Essex County Council approve providing a subsidy for the Green Bin User Fee of 10% of the total cost of the Green Bin User Fee for Phase 2 municipalities for the 2027 budget year to be paid from the Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund.

12.3

Public Petitions Policy

Report number 2026-0304-LLS-R17-KH, Public Petitions Policy, dated March 4, 2026, from Katherine Hebert, County Clerk

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2026-0304-LLS-R17-KH, Public Petitions Policy as information, and approve the Public Petitions Policy, and corresponding By-law as presented.

13.

Unfinished Business

13.1

Proposed Revisions to Fees and Charges By-law for 2026

Report number 2026-0218-FIN-R06-MR, Proposed Revisions to Fees and Charges By-law for 2026, dated February 18, 2026, from Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer 

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council approve report number 2026-0218-FIN-R06-MR, Proposed Revisions to Fees and Charges By-law for 2026 and direct administration to charge the updated deposits and fees from the date of approval of the By-law.

14.

New Business

14.1

Public Reporting of Closed Meeting

14.2

Green Bin Program User Fee

At the February 18, 2026 meeting of Essex County Council, Councillor Tracey Bailey introduced the following:

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the Council for the Corporation of the County of Essex has previously decided to adopt a regional green bin organics program; and

  Whereas the residents of the Town of Essex, the Municipality of Lakeshore, the Town of LaSalle, and the Town of Tecumseh (the “Phase 1 Municipalities”) began to participate in the Program in the autumn of 2025; and

  Whereas the residents Town of Amherstburg, the Town of Kingsville, and the Municipality of Leamington (the “Phase 2 Municipalities”) are scheduled to begin to participate in the Program in the autumn of 2026; and

  Whereas County Council has previously decided to fund the Program by charging a user fee to the owners of all properties eligible to participate in the Program (the “User Fee”); and

  Whereas the residents of the Phase 1 Municipalities are scheduled to be charged the User Fee during the 2026 budget year ending December 31, 2026; and

  Whereas the residents of the Phase 2 Municipalities are scheduled to be charged the User Fee during the 2027 budget year ending December 31, 2027 ; and

  Whereas County Council recognizes that the charging of the User Fee may cause undue financial pressures to the residents of the County at a time of extreme economic uncertainty; and

  Whereas the County has monetary reserves that Council may direct be used to partially or wholly offset the costs of the Program.

  Now therefore be it resolved that County Council directs that:

  1. The costs of the User Fee for the Program be funded 100% from Reserves for the 2026 Budget Year; and
  2. Administration as part of the 2027 Budget Year process present a plan for the costs for the Program for the 2027 Budget Year to be funded 50% from reserves for the residents of the Phase 1 Municipalities and 100% from Reserves for the residents of the Phase 2 Municipalities;
  3. Administration as part of the 2028 budget year ending December 31, 2028 process present a plan for the costs of the Program for the 2028 Budget Year to be funded 50% for the residents of the Phase 2 Municipalities;
  4. Administration as part of the 2029 budget year ending December 31, 2029 process present a plan for the costs of the Program to be funded through the County’s general municipal tax levy.

14.3

Social Media Reporting

At the February 18, 2026 meeting of Essex County Council, Councillor Sherry Bondy introduced the following:

• Recommendation:

  Whereas effective communication and transparency are essential components of good governance; and,

  Whereas residents increasingly rely on digital and social media platforms for timely information regarding County programs, services, and initiatives; and,

  Whereas tracking social media analytics allows organizations to measure engagement, identify communication gaps, and improve outreach strategies.

  Now therefore be it resolved, that Administration be directed to:

  1. Track and report quarterly on social media analytics, including but not limited to:
     • Follower growth
     • Post reach and impressions
     • Engagement rates (likes, shares, comments)
     • Video views
     • Website click-throughs
     • Public response times
  2. Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) related to digital enhancement and community outreach.
  3. Present a strategy to enhance the County’s digital presence to ensure it is more proactive, accessible, and forward-facing to residents.
  4. Report back to Council with findings and recommendations.

15.

Adoption of By-Laws

• Recommendation:

  That By-laws 2026-04, and 2026-07 through 2026-08, be given three readings, and having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

15.1

By-law Number 2026-04 (Deferred from February 18, 2026 Meeting)

Being a By-law to impose Fees and Charges by the Corporation of the County of Essex

15.2

By-law Number 2026-07

Being a By-law to Adopt Policy 2026-001 Public Petitions Policy for the Corporation of the County of Essex.

15.3

By-law Number 2026-08

Being a By-law to confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex for the Regular and Closed Meetings held March 4, 2026

16.

Notice of Motion

There are no Notices of Motion for March 4, 2026.

17.

Adjournment

• Recommendation:

  That the Essex County Council meeting for March 4, 206 be adjourned at             PM.