Essex County Council deliberates its budget on Wednesday, but if you want to go, you might want to go early.
Seating in council chambers at the Essex County Civic Centre is limited. The public can register for admittance in person on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the meeting. Only one registration is permitted per person. Pre-registration is available online.
The doors to council chambers will open at 3 p.m., and the meeting starts at 4 p.m. There is no overflow seating.
The public can also watch the meeting from home online or on YourTV Cogeco Cable.
The draft budget calls for a $10-million increase in spending, or another $31.60 for a residential property valued at $100,000.
That includes more money for Sun Parlour Home, where the target is three hours and 55 minutes of direct hands-on care for residents in 2024. The document calls for another 24 paramedics at Essex Windsor EMS, six paramedic aides and a new ambulance to help address Code Reds and Blacks. Infrastructure spending will go up five per cent. Social housing will get an additional $200,000, and $580,000 is for the new acute care hospital.
The county continues to face inflationary pressures, along with provincial funding restraints.
The county will dip into reserves to help cover the increased costs.
Before the public portion of Wednesday's meeting, councillors will meet in-camera at 3:15 p.m.
