Not the full picture. Built from public records, which leave things out.Read by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date. Check the sources, and tell us if you spot a mistake. What this site can't tell you Read by hand. We read Essex's own documents for this site in October 2026; the Sources page lists which ones. The comparisons with other places still come from the Province's yearly reports.
Questions · 9 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Essex's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 29 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
What these are, and what they are not. A question here means a number or practice is unusual, or harder to see than it should be. It does not mean anyone did anything wrong. Most unusual numbers turn out to have ordinary explanations, and every question lists some. The only way to know is to ask.
Worth asking
Worth asking
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$3,530,337interest and penalties earned in 2025, against a budget of $470,672
The Town holds a lot of cash. At December 31, 2025 it had $100,300,497 in cash and cash equivalents. The statements show a line called "Interest and penalties". For 2025 the budget was $470,672 and the actual was $3,530,337. For 2024 the budget was $532,964 and the actual was $4,821,340. For 2023 the actual was $4,562,177. So the budget has been a small fraction of the result three years running. The Town's budget slides say interest income can swing and that the Bank of Canada's rate fell from 3.75% in October 2024 to 2.25% in October 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$5,235,000new long-term debt financing proposed for 2026 capital work
A reserve is money set aside for a purpose. At December 31, 2025 the Town's reserves and reserve funds were $104,942,054, and it had $100,300,497 in cash. It also owes $19,500,269 in long-term debt, and in 2025 it issued $1,892,070 of new debt while repaying $2,527,494. The proposed 2026 capital budget plans $5,235,000 of new long-term debt financing, up from $2,670,488 in the 2025 budget. Some of the planned debt is new, such as $1,137,051 for the Town Hall consolidation. The Town says its debt stays within the provincial limit, and the walkthrough shows reserve balances falling over 2026 as projects are paid for.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$2,654,673planning and development spending in 2025, against a budget of $1,925,884
Planning and development covers planning applications, development review and related work. The statements show spending of $2,989,955 in 2023, $1,508,977 in 2024 (budget $1,498,963) and $2,654,673 in 2025 (budget $1,925,884). So 2025 was $728,789 over budget (worked out by us). Inside the 2025 numbers, salaries and benefits were $1,241,082 (2024: $811,567) and materials and supplies $1,267,342 (2024: $558,610). The Town's slides mention an organizational review whose critical changes were approved in 2025, but we did not find a line that explains this department's increase.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$803,003.31extra funding approved on June 15, 2026 for a project budgeted at $3,000,000
The 2026 capital budget put $3,000,000 toward the Maidstone Avenue and Talbot Street intersection. On June 15, 2026 Council awarded the construction for $3,402,282.31 and approved $803,003.31 of extra funding above that $3,000,000. On August 10, 2026 Council awarded the Inspiration Industrial Park servicing tender for $3,016,166.40 and approved $751,362.40 in funding above the approved 2026 capital budget, and a snowplow purchase needed $5,732 more. The Town's summaries say where the extra money comes from: reserves and development charges, and for the industrial park, water and wastewater charges that will be adjusted afterward. We looked only at the summaries for June to September 2026.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$22,791,716price received for E.L.K. Energy Inc., November 28, 2025
The Town owned all of E.L.K. Energy Inc., the electricity company that served part of Essex. It sold the company to ENWIN Utilities on November 28, 2025. The audited statements say the Town received $22,791,716 and booked a one-time gain of $11,045,225. The Town's own news post says that after debt, legal fees and transaction costs it expects about $21.9 million, that Council put about $6.9 million toward projects (a new sports field, Fire Station 3 and a Town Hall expansion), and that the remaining estimated $15 million goes into a new E.L.K. Legacy Reserve that keeps the principal and spends only the yearly investment income. At December 31, 2025 the statements show $22,125,888 in a reserve fund called "E.L.K. Energy". The difference between the price and that reserve is $665,828 (worked out by us). The Town has explained the plan. We could not find the dollar breakdown of the costs.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$20,960,015surplus in 2025, against a budgeted $9,359,970
A surplus is what is left when a year's revenue is more than its spending. The audited statements show a surplus of $20,960,015 for 2025 against a budgeted $9,359,970. One item explains most of it: the one-time $11,045,225 gain on the sale of E.L.K. Energy. Take that out and the surplus is $9,914,790 (worked out by us), close to the plan. The year before, the budget planned $11,360,196 and the result was $12,958,566. The Town also says its budget is built on a different basis from the statements.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$103.58proposed 2026 increase in the Town's levy on a home assessed at $192,000
The Town's budget slides propose an average increase of 4.92% in the Town's share of the property tax bill for 2026, or $103.58 a year on a home assessed at $192,000 (from $2,104.90 to $2,208.48). Across the Town, County and school boards the average bill goes up $132.08, or 3.80%. The Town explains the rise in detail: keeping services as they are would cost a minimum of $807,031.89, or 4.01% on taxes; the slides then list 1.00% for the asset management levy, 1.33% for proposed new positions, 1.86% for salaries and benefits, 0.41% for the police contract, and a 0.45% saving because the E.L.K. amortization was removed. These are the proposed figures from November 24, 2025. We could not read the adopted 2026 budget book, so we did not check the final rate.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
34mayoral decisions listed for 2025 and 2026 on the Town's Mayoral Powers page (counted by us)
In 2022 the Province gave some mayors extra powers, including proposing the budget and vetoing parts of it. The Town says those powers came to Essex on May 1, 2025. Its own 2026 budget slides say the Mayor, Sherry Bondy, directed staff to prepare the 2026 budget (SMP-25-003) and shortened the 10-day veto period for it to zero days (SMP-25-004). The Council deliberation slides ask Council to reduce the time periods for budget amendments and veto under the Ontario regulation. The Town's page lists 18 written mayoral decisions for 2025 and 16 for 2026. We could not read what they say: the ones we opened are scanned images.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$3,530,337interest and penalties earned in 2025, against a budget of $470,672
The Town holds a lot of cash. At December 31, 2025 it had $100,300,497 in cash and cash equivalents. The statements show a line called "Interest and penalties". For 2025 the budget was $470,672 and the actual was $3,530,337. For 2024 the budget was $532,964 and the actual was $4,821,340. For 2023 the actual was $4,562,177. So the budget has been a small fraction of the result three years running. The Town's budget slides say interest income can swing and that the Bank of Canada's rate fell from 3.75% in October 2024 to 2.25% in October 2025.
Why it matters
Interest income that is left out of the budget does not lower anyone's tax bill that year. It can end up in a surplus or in reserves. Residents may reasonably ask whether the budget is cautious on purpose or simply old.
It could be because…
A cautious budget is a common choice because rates move. The Town's slides say interest income may fluctuate.
Much of the interest may belong to reserve funds and be added to those reserves directly, so it would not be counted in the day-to-day operating budget. The operating budget's "Investment and Other Income" line is far smaller ($631,499 budgeted for 2025).
Rates fell during 2025, so the Town may expect less in later years.
Questions you could ask
How does the Town set its interest income budget, and why was it $470,672 for 2025 when 2024 brought in $4,821,340?
Where does interest earned on reserve funds appear in the operating budget, if not in "Interest and penalties"?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Essex?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations: "Interest and penalties" 2025 budget 470,672, actual 3,530,337; 2024 actual 4,821,340. Statement of financial position: "Cash and cash equivalents" $100,300,497 at December 31, 2025 ($80,558,319 at December 31, 2024).
"Budget fluctuations may be seen on interest income from investment funds"; the policy rate "has decreased from 3.75% at October 2024 to 2.25% at October 2025." The operating revenue summary shows "Investment and Other Income" of 631,499 in the 2025 budget, 728,853 proposed for 2026 and 755,328 actual for 2024.
$5,235,000new long-term debt financing proposed for 2026 capital work
A reserve is money set aside for a purpose. At December 31, 2025 the Town's reserves and reserve funds were $104,942,054, and it had $100,300,497 in cash. It also owes $19,500,269 in long-term debt, and in 2025 it issued $1,892,070 of new debt while repaying $2,527,494. The proposed 2026 capital budget plans $5,235,000 of new long-term debt financing, up from $2,670,488 in the 2025 budget. Some of the planned debt is new, such as $1,137,051 for the Town Hall consolidation. The Town says its debt stays within the provincial limit, and the walkthrough shows reserve balances falling over 2026 as projects are paid for.
Why it matters
Debt costs interest and is paid back from future taxes and fees. Reserves earn interest but are also meant to be spent on the projects they were saved for. Residents may want to know how the Town decides between the two, especially now that a $15 million legacy reserve has been set up.
It could be because…
Most reserves are set aside for specific purposes (capital $49,700,484; landfill $12,275,162; contingencies $16,933,773) and may not be free to spend.
Borrowing lets the cost of a building or a pipe fall on the people who will use it over its life, and the Town's debt payments are within the provincial limit.
Council chose to keep the E.L.K. sale money as a long-term fund that earns income rather than pay down debt. The Town estimates about $600,000 a year of income on about $15 million (about 4%, worked out by us). Some of its debentures cost more than that (for example 4.65% on the twin pad arena debenture), but early repayment can carry penalties.
Questions you could ask
What rule decides whether a capital project is paid from a reserve or from new debt, and why was $5,235,000 of borrowing chosen for 2026?
Would using part of the E.L.K. reserve to pay off higher-rate debt save more than the estimated $600,000 a year it is expected to earn?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Essex?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 7(b): reserves and reserve funds total $104,942,054 (capital purposes $49,700,484; E.L.K. Energy $22,125,888; landfill $12,275,162; contingencies $16,933,773). Note 5: subtotal long-term debt $19,500,269; the statements say the debt payments "are within the annual debt repayment limit prescribed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing." Cash flow statement: "Net long-term debt issued" 1,892,070; "Long-term debt repaid" (2,527,494).
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, December 31, 2025: "Cash and cash equivalents $100,300,497" (2024: $80,558,319). The Statement of Cash Flows ends "Cash, end of year $100,300,497".
Capital summary: "Long Term Debt Financing" 2025 budget 2,670,488, 2026 proposed 5,235,000, a change of 2,564,512. "Town Hall Consolidation" shows a 2026 proposed remaining principal of 1,137,051, up from 0.
Reserve fund balances slide: total remaining balance of 77.95 Million at December 31, 2024 and a proposed 62.09 Million at December 31, 2026, split into discretionary, capital related and obligatory reserves.
$2,654,673planning and development spending in 2025, against a budget of $1,925,884
Planning and development covers planning applications, development review and related work. The statements show spending of $2,989,955 in 2023, $1,508,977 in 2024 (budget $1,498,963) and $2,654,673 in 2025 (budget $1,925,884). So 2025 was $728,789 over budget (worked out by us). Inside the 2025 numbers, salaries and benefits were $1,241,082 (2024: $811,567) and materials and supplies $1,267,342 (2024: $558,610). The Town's slides mention an organizational review whose critical changes were approved in 2025, but we did not find a line that explains this department's increase.
Why it matters
A department that moves this much from year to year is hard for residents to compare with the budget. If the new spending is permanent, it will show up in future tax bills.
It could be because…
The organizational review approved new positions in 2025, which would explain higher salaries.
Work done for developers or on drains can be billed back. The statements show "Recovered drain billings" of $521,410 in 2025, though we cannot tell how much belongs to this department.
Large one-time studies, such as the new official plan, can push materials and supplies up in one year and not the next.
Questions you could ask
What caused the $728,789 gap between planning and development's 2025 budget and its actual spending?
Which positions or studies account for the rise in salaries and materials, and are they permanent?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Essex?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations: "Planning and development" 2025 budget 1,925,884, actual 2,654,673; 2024 actual 1,508,977. "Recovered drain billings" 2025 actual 521,410 (2024: 1,030,019).
Schedule 2, Planning and Development, 2025: salaries, wages and benefits 1,241,082; materials and supplies 1,267,342; total expenses 2,654,673. For 2024: salaries, wages and benefits 811,567; materials and supplies 558,610; total expenses 1,508,977.
"In 2024, an organizational review was completed and adopted in principle by Council. Changes recommended within the study identified as critical were approved in 2025 and any new position recommendations identified in the second phase of the organizational review have been included in the proposed 2026 budget."
$803,003.31extra funding approved on June 15, 2026 for a project budgeted at $3,000,000
The 2026 capital budget put $3,000,000 toward the Maidstone Avenue and Talbot Street intersection. On June 15, 2026 Council awarded the construction for $3,402,282.31 and approved $803,003.31 of extra funding above that $3,000,000. On August 10, 2026 Council awarded the Inspiration Industrial Park servicing tender for $3,016,166.40 and approved $751,362.40 in funding above the approved 2026 capital budget, and a snowplow purchase needed $5,732 more. The Town's summaries say where the extra money comes from: reserves and development charges, and for the industrial park, water and wastewater charges that will be adjusted afterward. We looked only at the summaries for June to September 2026.
Why it matters
A budget gives Council and residents a price before a project is designed in detail. Repeated top-ups after tender raise a fair question about how estimates are made, and who pays when they miss.
It could be because…
Costs may have risen between the time the budget was built in 2025 and the tender in 2026, a common experience with construction.
The awards include non-refundable HST, which a budget may not have counted.
The Town pays for the industrial park servicing from reserves and charges that it will adjust once final costs are known, so the extra may be recovered from the people served.
Questions you could ask
How many of the 2026 tenders came in above the approved capital budget, and by how much in total?
At what stage of design were the Maidstone-Talbot and Inspiration Industrial Park estimates made, and does the Town add an allowance for rising costs?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Essex?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"Maidstone Avenue / Talbot Street Intersection Improvement. Budget: $3,000,000", funded by $750,000 from CCBF, $350,000 from OCIF, $650,000 from the Water Reserve Ward 1, a $115,000 County contribution and $1.135 million from the Asset Management Reserve.
"Council awarded the construction of the Maidstone-Talbot Intersection Improvement (RFT-ID-26-006) to D'Amore Construction (2000) Ltd. in the amount of $3,402,282.31"; inspection services to RC Spencer Associates for $152,640.00; and "additional funding of $803,003.31 including non-refundable Harmonized Sales Tax above the approved 2026 Capital budget of $3,000,000."
Inspiration Industrial Park Servicing tender awarded for $3,016,166.40 including non-refundable HST, with "$751,362.40 in additional project funding above the approved 2026 capital budget, to be funded through the Landfill Reserve and Part XII Capital Costs". A single-axle snowplow was awarded for $265,732, with $5,732 in additional funding from Development Charges.
Council Meeting Summary: August 10, 2026 · Reports from Administration, Inspiration Industrial Park Servicing Tender; Results of Request for Tender RFT-ID-26-016
$22,791,716price received for E.L.K. Energy Inc., November 28, 2025
The Town owned all of E.L.K. Energy Inc., the electricity company that served part of Essex. It sold the company to ENWIN Utilities on November 28, 2025. The audited statements say the Town received $22,791,716 and booked a one-time gain of $11,045,225. The Town's own news post says that after debt, legal fees and transaction costs it expects about $21.9 million, that Council put about $6.9 million toward projects (a new sports field, Fire Station 3 and a Town Hall expansion), and that the remaining estimated $15 million goes into a new E.L.K. Legacy Reserve that keeps the principal and spends only the yearly investment income. At December 31, 2025 the statements show $22,125,888 in a reserve fund called "E.L.K. Energy". The difference between the price and that reserve is $665,828 (worked out by us). The Town has explained the plan. We could not find the dollar breakdown of the costs.
Why it matters
This was one of the biggest one-time sums the Town has ever received, and one decision about it affects taxes for many years. The Town has published the plan, so the open point is the arithmetic: how the price became the reserve, and whether the yearly income arrives as promised.
It could be because…
The price is a gross figure. The Town says debt, legal fees and transaction costs come off it, which would explain a lower reserve.
The $11,045,225 gain in the statements is an accounting number: it is the price less the $11,746,490 the investment was carried at, so it is not the same as cash.
Council chose to keep the principal and spend only income, which is a deliberate and cautious way to use a one-time sum.
The $6.9 million for projects may already be counted in the capital budget, so it would not be extra spending.
Questions you could ask
What were the debt repaid, the legal fees and the other transaction costs, in dollars, between the $22,791,716 price and the money now in the reserve?
Why does the reserve show $22,125,888 at December 31, 2025 when the Town's post says about $21.9 million net?
When will the annual reports on the E.L.K. Legacy Reserve be public, and will the 2027 Draft Budget show the estimated $600,000 of income?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Essex?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 2: "On November 28, 2025, the Town disposed of its 100% investment in E.L.K. Energy Inc. for proceeds of $22,791,716, resulting in a gain of $11,045,225 recognized in the statement of operations. The carrying value of the investment at the date of disposal was $11,746,490."
The Town says that "following the completion of the sale and repayment of debt, legal fees and transaction costs, the Town expects to receive approximately $21.9 million in net proceeds"; Council "allocated approximately $6.9 million of the sale proceeds toward priority capital projects, including the new sports field development, Fire Station 3, and the Town Hall expansion"; the remaining estimated $15 million goes to the E.L.K. Legacy Reserve; annual investment income is estimated at "approximately $600,000".
Council approved "a new internally restricted Reserve Fund, entitled E.L.K. Legacy Reserve" to hold the remaining closing proceeds, adopted the investment strategy with 10% of annual investment income going to new core capital projects and 20% reinvested, and directed staff to include the estimated investment income and its allocations in the 2027 Draft Budget.
$20,960,015surplus in 2025, against a budgeted $9,359,970
A surplus is what is left when a year's revenue is more than its spending. The audited statements show a surplus of $20,960,015 for 2025 against a budgeted $9,359,970. One item explains most of it: the one-time $11,045,225 gain on the sale of E.L.K. Energy. Take that out and the surplus is $9,914,790 (worked out by us), close to the plan. The year before, the budget planned $11,360,196 and the result was $12,958,566. The Town also says its budget is built on a different basis from the statements.
Why it matters
A budget is the promise made to taxpayers about what the year will cost. A large gap between plan and result is worth a question even when, as here, the biggest piece is a one-time sale. The point is whether the budget plans for large yearly surpluses on purpose.
It could be because…
The $11,045,225 gain on the E.L.K. sale was a one-time item that could not have been in the budget.
The statements say the budget "was prepared on a modified accrual basis" and spends capital items in full instead of counting amortization, so its surplus is not measured the same way.
Ontario budgets must balance (the Town's budget page says so), so the adopted budget shows no surplus. The "budgeted surplus" in the statements comes from restating it: Note 12 takes out $14,318,189 of capital spending and transfers to reserves of $16,496,720.
A surplus on the statements can be money put into reserves for later projects, not money left unspent.
Questions you could ask
What was the 2025 surplus once one-time items such as the E.L.K. gain are set aside, and how much of it went into reserves?
How much of the statements' budgeted surplus each year (11,360,196 in 2024 and 9,359,970 in 2025) is capital spending and reserve transfers that the balanced budget treats as costs?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Essex?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations, 2025: "Total revenue" budget 53,540,629, actual 64,818,446; "Total expenses" budget 44,180,659, actual 43,858,431; "Annual surplus" budget 9,359,970, actual 20,960,015 (2024 actual 12,958,566). "Gain on sale of E.L.K. Energy Inc." budget 0, actual 11,045,225.
Note 12: "The budget is unaudited and was prepared on a modified accrual basis while Public Sector Accounting Standards now require a full accrual basis. The budget figures anticipated using surpluses accumulated in previous years to reduce current year expenditures in excess of current year revenues to $nil." The note reconciles budgeted revenue of $53,540,629 and expenses of $44,180,659 to a "Budgeted surplus per financial statements" of $9,359,970.
$103.58proposed 2026 increase in the Town's levy on a home assessed at $192,000
The Town's budget slides propose an average increase of 4.92% in the Town's share of the property tax bill for 2026, or $103.58 a year on a home assessed at $192,000 (from $2,104.90 to $2,208.48). Across the Town, County and school boards the average bill goes up $132.08, or 3.80%. The Town explains the rise in detail: keeping services as they are would cost a minimum of $807,031.89, or 4.01% on taxes; the slides then list 1.00% for the asset management levy, 1.33% for proposed new positions, 1.86% for salaries and benefits, 0.41% for the police contract, and a 0.45% saving because the E.L.K. amortization was removed. These are the proposed figures from November 24, 2025. We could not read the adopted 2026 budget book, so we did not check the final rate.
Why it matters
A tax increase well above inflation is a choice Council makes each year. The Town has shown its working, so this is context for residents, with the open point being whether the adopted rate matches the proposal.
It could be because…
Fixed costs such as the police contract, salaries and benefits, and utilities rise every year, and the Town says these alone need a minimum 4.01% increase.
A 1.00% asset management levy is a planned yearly saving for replacing roads and pipes, which Council can choose to keep or not.
The 1.80% estimated growth in assessment (new homes and buildings) spreads the cost over more taxpayers.
Questions you could ask
What tax rate did Council adopt for 2026 after the December 8, 2025 deliberations, and how does it differ from the proposed 4.92%?
How much of the 1.33% for new positions is for work the Town already does through contracts or temporary staff?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Essex?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"Proposed tax rate" slide: average Town of Essex levy increase (Wards 1 to 4) of 103.58 on a median residential single-family detached assessment of 192,000, from median property taxes of 2,104.90 to 2,208.48. Total average increase for all wards 132.08 (from 3,473.86 to 3,605.93).
34mayoral decisions listed for 2025 and 2026 on the Town's Mayoral Powers page (counted by us)
In 2022 the Province gave some mayors extra powers, including proposing the budget and vetoing parts of it. The Town says those powers came to Essex on May 1, 2025. Its own 2026 budget slides say the Mayor, Sherry Bondy, directed staff to prepare the 2026 budget (SMP-25-003) and shortened the 10-day veto period for it to zero days (SMP-25-004). The Council deliberation slides ask Council to reduce the time periods for budget amendments and veto under the Ontario regulation. The Town's page lists 18 written mayoral decisions for 2025 and 16 for 2026. We could not read what they say: the ones we opened are scanned images.
Why it matters
These powers change who finally decides the budget. Waiving the veto period leaves the final say with Council, which is worth knowing. The decisions are public, but scanned pages cannot be searched or read by a computer.
It could be because…
The law requires a mayor to put these decisions in writing and make them public, and the Town does list them.
Waiving the veto period lets the budget take effect sooner, and means Council's own decisions stand as made.
Many of the listed decisions are titled "Written Approval of By-Laws", which may be routine paperwork the law now requires.
Questions you could ask
Can the Town post the text of each mayoral decision in a readable form, not only as scanned images?
Did the Mayor use any of the powers to change a budget or by-law, or only to approve and direct, and where is that written?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Essex?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"Mayor Bondy has made the following Mayoral Decisions for the 2026 budget process: SMP-25-003 Direction to staff to prepare the 2026 Budget ... SMP-25-004 Shortening of the Mayoral Budget Veto Period for the 2026 Budget ... the 10-day mayoral budget veto period for the 2026 budget be shortened to zero days, effectively waiving the mayoral veto period."
Resolution on the deliberation agenda: "Reduce the time period as set out in subsection 7(3) and 7(1) of O. Reg 530/22 with respect to budget amendments and veto."
"These powers were assigned to The Town of Essex on May 1, 2025 by way of an amendment to O. Reg. 530/22." The page lists decisions SMP-25-001 to SMP-25-018 for 2025 and SMP-26-001 to SMP-26-016 for 2026. The decision PDFs we opened are scans and were not read.
Essex spent about $279 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2025. The typical similar town spent $124. Only 1 of 29 similar towns spent more.
Why it matters
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
It could be because…
Geography: more roads, more snow, a bigger area or a landfill of its own.
Accounting: some towns record the same cost in a different category.
A one-time cost in this year.
Questions you could ask
What makes this cost higher here than in similar towns?
When were the main contracts in this area last put out to competitive tender?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Essex?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Garbage, dump and recycling per home: Essex $279; typical similar town $124; ranked 2nd highest of 30.
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