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Warden Puts Spotlight on Local Black History Month Events
Warden Hilda MacDonald encouraged residents to participate in local Black History Month events during her opening remarks to Essex County council on Wednesday.
She thanked the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, Essex County Black Historical Research Society and other groups which have collaborated to put on a long list of events during February, which is Black History Month in Canada. MacDonald noted that Essex County and Windsor have a long, rich Black history that stretches back to the 18th century, when free Black Loyalists and enslaved Africans arrived.
They were followed by African Americans escaping slavery and free people of colour, who made the region a critical link in the Underground Railroad. Pursuing freedom, opportunity and dreams of a better future, thousands have settled in Essex County and Windsor over the past 200 years.
“They have pushed back against discrimination and segregation, and made important contributions to day-to-day life in our region, province and country,” the warden said. “They have inspired North American civil rights leaders and organized massive freedom celebrations. They have welcomed and embraced Black immigrants from around the world, who continue to arrive here to this day.”
The theme of Black History Month this year is “Ours to Tell” and many of the local events are focused on the stories of Black residents and organizations – past and present.
Municipal Tax Ratios for 2023 Remain the Same, with One Exception
Municipal tax ratios in Essex County will remain the same in 2023 as last year, with the exception of a gradual decrease in the ratio for multi-residential properties. Council passed a by-law setting the tax ratios following a review by treasurers for the county and the seven local municipalities.
The residential tax ratio is 1.0 and the ratios for other property tax classes are set accordingly. The multi-residential class ratio for 2023 is 1.313850 and will be reduced to 1.1 in 2024, as a result of a county council decision in 2020 to gradually reduce it closer to the residential ratio.
A report to council notes the raw assessment for all properties in Essex County increased 2.46 per cent in 2022, with most of the growth happening in the residential property classes. The residential class increased in raw assessment by $466,409,144 and the multi-residential class by $16,296,700.
Applications for tax assistance from low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities, which are received by the local municipalities, continued to increase in 2022 and are expected to go up again this year, says the report.
County Roads, Bridges and Culverts in Good Shape, but Costs are Rising
Essex County’s roads, bridges, culverts and storm water mains are in good shape, but maintaining that level is becoming increasingly challenging, says an update to the county’s Asset Management Plan presented to council.
The 2022 update takes a detailed look at the county’s “linear assets,” as required by provincial regulations. It found 69 per cent are in good to very good condition, while 25 per cent are in fair condition and six per cent are in poor or very poor condition.
The county has done a good job of maintaining roads and related infrastructure, but its financial capacity to keep that track record going is being challenged by climate change, population growth and escalating costs, says the update.
The Asset Management Plan, which will be updated again in 2024 and 2025, assists the county in planning spending to maximize the benefits of each asset (such as a road), manage the risks and provide an appropriate level of service to the public in a sustainable manner.
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