Deputy Warden Highlights Hiatus House, Remembrance Day

Deputy Warden Joe Bachetti encouraged residents to wear purple on Nov. 15 to support Hiatus House and help “shine a light” on domestic violence, adding purple lights are illuminating the County of Essex Administration Building for the month of November.

“Consider the numbers from Hiatus House’s most recent annual report: More than 3,000 crisis calls were received, with 351 women and 183 children being admitted,” said Bachetti. “Those are upsetting, unsettling facts. And they underscore just how much we all still must do – to prevent domestic abuse and help all those suffering victims.”

Bachetti also urged residents to support Hiatus House by lighting a candle and shining a light on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The Deputy Warden acknowledged all the residents who are wearing poppies over their hearts ahead of Remembrance Day next Tuesday and encouraged everyone to honour all those who fought for our freedom by embracing the same sense of duty and civic service that they did.

"The people of Essex County always answered the call when it came time to defend freedom and our way of life, and they answer the call still when it comes time to remember all those who did,” said Bachetti. “Let’s wear these poppies with immense pride and gratitude. Let’s remember our Veterans and their sacrifice every day of the year.”

Council Approves Advocacy Strategy

Essex County Council approved a 7-pillar advocacy strategy that will see Council discussing and approving a list of advocacy priorities for the Warden and administration to pursue throughout the year. The strategy was called for in the County’s first-ever Strategic Plan, which emphasizes “advocating for Essex County’s fair share” and “driving shared priorities with Local Municipal Partners.”

The strategy is built around seven pillars: Issue Identification; Council Discussion and Prioritization; Audience and Partner Mapping; Key Message Development; Engagement and Relationship Building; Communication and Ongoing Advocacy and Monitoring and Evaluation.

The County has delegated on issues in recent years before government ministries at provincial conferences and has also released position statements during provincial and federal election campaigns but has never had a formal advocacy strategy.

“The advocacy experience gained by the County in recent years has highlighted the need for a more systematic and targeted approach to seeking solutions for ongoing issues that affect the region, an approach that necessarily requires the considered input and clear direction of County Council,” said a Council report.

“Municipal governments across the province are becoming increasingly strategic in their advocacy efforts and the County should be no exception. Coordinated, clear and consistent communication by the County and its local municipal partners on priority issues will maximize the opportunities for successful responses to the issues raised, and will demonstrate to residents that their interests are being well represented.”

Read the report!

‘Substantial Progress’ on Strategic Plan Implementation

County Council voted to receive a report submitted by Chief Administrative Officer Sandra Zwiers highlighting progress made to date on implementing initiatives identified in the County’s first-ever Strategic Plan.

“Two years into implementation, substantial progress has been made in embedding the Strategic Plan into day-to-day operations,” said a report to Council. The implementation roadmap continues to provide clear priorities, accountability, and realistic timelines for Administration. To ensure alignment across the organization, all Directors have conducted rollout meetings with their teams, integrating the Strategic Plan into departmental objectives.”

Looking ahead to 2026, “attention will turn to the more complex and longer-term priorities that remain in progress,” with key areas of focus including the next phase of the road rationalization study, strengthening shared service and cost recovery models, and continuing to modernize internal systems and processes, said the report.

The Strategic Plan is founded on three strategic pillars, with goals specific to each:

Working as Team Essex County

·         Scaling Sustainable Services through Innovation

·         Focusing "Team Essex County" for Results

·         Advocating for Essex County's Fair Share

Growing as Leaders in Public Service Excellence

·         Being an Employer with Impact

·         A Government Working for the People

·         Promoting Transparency and Awareness

Building a Regional Powerhouse

·         Providing Reliable Infrastructure for Partners

·         Supporting Dynamic and Thriving Communities Across the County

·         Harmonizing Action for Growth

·         Advancing Truth and Reconciliation

Read the report!

View the Strategic Plan Task Tracker!

Read the County’s Strategic Plan!

Transportation Master Plan Public Information Centre

The County of Essex is hosting two public information sessions about the Transportation Master Plan study on Thursday, Nov. 13 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the County of Essex Administration Building.

Learn more about the Transportation Master Plan on the project page!

Council Receives Report on Updated Attendance Support Policy

Council received a report detailing amendments to the County’s Attendance Support Policy and directed Administration to reclassify the policy from a corporate policy to an administrative one.  

“The proposed amendments to the Policy are intended to make it less administratively burdensome, more equitable across all divisions, and to promote transparency and consistency in its application,” said a report to Council. “The revised language also reinforces that the primary purpose of the Policy is to support employees who may be experiencing challenges maintaining regular attendance at work. Early, solution-focused discussions are often effective in preventing longer-term or more complex attendance concerns.”

Read the report!

Council Approves CAO Performance Appraisal Policy

County Council voted to adopt a CAO Performance Appraisal Policy, which establishes a formalized framework for gauging the CAO’s performance in alignment with the County’s Strategic Plan.

“The Policy outlines the key steps in the appraisal process and the responsibilities of the parties involved, with a view to ensuring accountability, promoting leadership development, and fostering open communication between County Council and the CAO," said a report to Council.

All Third Quarter Procurement Contracts Within Budget

Council voted to receive the Procurement Services Quarterly Report for the Third Quarter, in accordance with the County’s Procurement Policy. All contract awards over $500,000 in value in the third quarter were within the amount budgeted and approved by Council in the 2025 Budget and were awarded without irregularities.

Read the report!