The Town of Essex is the second municipality in Windsor-Essex to pass a budget for next year with a zero per cent increase.
Leamington passed a zero per cent increase for 2021 earlier this month.
"As a council, we have seen the impact of COVID-19 on residents and small business owners, so it was a priority to bring a budget with no increase to our property taxes," said Mayor Larry Snively. "It's a good budget with projects spread out in every ward and area in our community."
The budget includes more than $5-million for a streetscaping project in Harrow and engineering costs for a similar project in Essex Centre.
A complete reconstruction of Victor Street between Victoria Avenue and Laird Street will go ahead with $885,000. The project includes water main and storm sewer work.
More than $1.6-million is dedicated to sanitary sewer improvements, including an optimization study for Harrow and a master plan for Ward 3.
Projects in the capital budget for 2020 that could not be completed this year because of the pandemic will go ahead in 2021. Four projects will be discussed at the council's next meeting in January.
Council also earmarked $150,000 for new public washrooms and change rooms at the Harrow Splash Pad, $200,000 to replace playground equipment at Hunter Park, and new sidewalks at Sadler's Park. The Colchester Community Centre will get money for upgrades, and there are new FOB-access gates for Colchester Harbour.
Agri-tourism will get a boost of $55,000.
