Amherstburg endorses closer look at regional waste collection County of Essex welcomes Sandra Zwiers as its next CAO

to staff who has extensive expertise in municipal finance.”

Zwiers steps into the CAO’s office after over five years as Essex County’s director of financial services/treasurer.

“Sandra has done a stellar job as leader of our Financial Services team,” said Warden Hilda MacDonald. “We are fortunate to have someone of her calibre in-house to take over as CAO. Not only does she have deep knowledge and understanding of Essex County’s finances and how municipal government works, she is a team player who mentors, encourages and inspires her staff.”

Zwiers joined the County of Essex in January 2018 after 14 years as director of financial services for the Town of Kingsville. At the county, she has overseen all areas of finance – including procurement, payroll and benefits, accounting, budgeting, and risk management and insurance – as well as information technology and GIS.

The County of Essex points out Zwiers is a chartered accountant, who completed her master of accounting at the University of Waterloo and worked at an accounting firm for seven years prior to being hired by the Town of Kingsville. She is described in a news release as “a native of Essex County and a big booster of the region’s economic strengths and amenities.”

As “a key member of the leadership team, Zwiers has represented the County of Essex at high-level meetings with provincial and federal governments and in partnerships with other municipalities. She is also a leader in the municipal finance field, the county states via its news release, noting Zwiers is currently board president for the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association of Ontario and vice-chair of the audit committee for ONE Investment, which serves Ontario municipalities.

“I am honoured by this vote of

Councillor Diane Pouget asked if there could be a service reduction but Bishop said the first step at this time is to identify the service levels of all seven county municipalities and the City of Windsor. Amherstburg’s waste collection contract runs into 2027, but Bishop said the working group will look at that deal to see “if there is any movement there.”

Councillor Don McArthur believed economies of scale “make a lot of sense” and wondered if a regional approach is in other areas of Ontario. Bishop said “we’re already behind” as there are many regions in the province that have gone regional.

Councillor Peter Courtney had concerns and was unsure of costs, but agreed to the motion as it is a concept at this point.

“It sounds like you are on the right track but there are a lot of questions regarding cost,” said Courtney.

Council’s decision was in line with a town administrative report that endorsed the concept of a regional approach and town council further directed administration to report back to council in the future “with further information on a regional waste management program, including the legal and logistical steps required to upload the waste management service as well as cost and service implications.” confidence by Essex County council and excited to take on the position of CAO,” Zwiers said. “I am passionate about what we do and feel blessed to be working with such a great group of people. We are on the precipice of unprecedented growth in the County of Essex, which will require the highest level of efficiency, collaboration and nimbleness from our leadership team and staff. I know we are up for the challenge.”

Zwiers was chosen after an extensive and competitive process was conducted to hire a new CAO. She is taking over from Interim CAO Mary Birch, with the transition beginning immediately. The county says the process for hiring a new director of finance/treasurer will be announced soon.

Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue said all of county council had a say in the process and was pleased Zwiers was the choice.

“I’m delighted. I think she is an excellent candidate,” said Prue. “I am proud to endorse her candidacy as the next CAO.” Prue said Zwiers gave “an outstanding interview” and was impressed by her knowledge of Essex County.