Floodplain mapping, tree planting, and restoration work highlight the Essex Region Conservation Authority's 2022 draft budget.
The ERCA unanimously approved the spending plan for distribution among the municipalities it serves. The budget is for $9.1-million, including a levy request of just over $3.5-million, representing a 2.5 per cent increase from 2021. This is the equivalent of $23.15 more per household based on a property value of $300,000.
The budget is based on the latest adjustments to the Ontario Conservation Authorities Act, with mandatory program expenses of approximately $5.5-million. Non-mandatory costs total just over $3.3-million. Seventy-seven per cent of the levy supports the delivery of mandatory services, with the rest allocated to the delivery of non-mandatory, but core recurring watershed programs.
"In accordance with the requirements of the Transition Plan, ERCA is finalizing its inventory of programs and services, including costing and funding information, for review by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and our member municipalities," said ERCA CAO Tim Byrne.
ERCA, starting in 2024, will be required to create funding agreements with municipalities where municipal support is needed to get non-mandatory programs.
"Between 2017 and 2021, the Authority received municipal funds of $9,774,032, representing levy and special-project funds, for programs and projects which are anticipated to be categorized as non-mandatory under the Act," said ERCA Board Chair Tonia Jobin. "During that time, non-municipal funds of $9,913,725 were received to support those very same initiatives. This financial return of $1.01 for every one dollar of investment is over and above the incalculable value that implementing these important conservation projects provides to our community’s environmental health and sustainability."
Among the 2022 priorities are the planting of 60,000 trees, and finishing the Little River Floodplain Mapping and the Turkey Hydrologic and Hydraulic modelling. ERCA will also work to improve accessibility to the John R. Park Homestead and the Devonwood Conservation Area and begin a long-term restoration partnership with Caldwell First Nation.
