Town council approves schedule to deliberate 2024 budget

By Ron Giofu

The dates to deliberate the 2024 budget have been finalized.

Amherstburg town council set the 2024 budget schedule at their most recent regular meeting, with it to include deliberations for the operating and capital budgets. The operating budget is primarily derived from property taxes and user fees, stated a report from director of corporate services/CFO Tracy Prince, with that budget covering day-to-day expenses of the town for municipal services and programs. The capital budget, she further explained in her report to town council, can see income garnered from property taxes, reserves, development charges, issued debt, grants and expense co-sharing agreements with other entities, such as the county, other municipalities or developers. The capital budget covers asset replacement or rehabilitation such as roads, bridges, sewers, fleet replacement, watermains and more.

By Ron Giofu

The budget will be presented to council and tabled the night of Nov. 13. The town then plans a public engagement session for Nov. 18 with a survey to run Nov. 13-26. The audit and finance committee will be presented the budget Nov. 28.

Town council will deliberate the 2024 budget Dec. 4-6 and the scheduled adoption of the budget is tentatively set for Jan. 8, 2024.

There were members of council who pointed out potential conflicts on dates, with administration stating they would work to accommodate any changes that may have to be made. Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb noted the final date of deliberations – Dec. 6 – is a Wednesday and it is possible the County of Essex could have an in-camera meeting. Gibb said if there is an in-camera county council meeting, they normally start at 4 p.m. and that he and Mayor Michael Prue would need time to get there.

“We can absolutely work with your schedules,” said CAO Valerie Critchley.

A tender for the repair of the bridge over River Canard at the intersection of County Road 9 and County Road 10 has been approved by Essex County council.

The intersection – also known as the corner of Howard Ave. and Middle Side Road – will be repaired by Facca Incorporated with the tender price being approved by county council members being $4,156,745 plus applicable taxes. That comes in over-budget, as it exceeded the engineer’s estimate by 11 per cent.

According to a report from manager of design and construction Karyn Templin, “Further to a review of the two lowest tender submissions, the price provided is appropriate for the work. Given that the project will extend into 2024, and that it is expected the successful contractor will complete 30%-50% of the value of work in 2023, unspent, committed funds will be brought forward into the 2024 budget. Administration will continue to prioritize projects and cautiously proceed with tendering of the remaining three bridge/culvert projects, making best efforts to remain within the approved 2023 rehabilitation budget.”

“Upon approval of the rehab program, the

Councillor Diane Pouget also pointed out a possible conflict in the afternoon of Dec. 6. Critchley said that date is if required and administration will keep it in mind should deliberations be necessary that day.

Prue questioned the timeframe for sending the budget to the audit and finance advisory committee, believing “it does not seem to be very long.” He asked if the committee could have more time to review it.

“They do really good work but I think they need some time,” said Prue.

Councillor Linden Crain, who chairs the audit and finance committee, said he spoke with members of the committee and noted between the tabling of the budget Nov. 13 and the Nov. 28 committee meeting, there is 15 days for committee members to review it. Clerk Kevin Fox added there is “a struggle” on figuring out the proper timing, noting there is concern to give the committee enough time to review the document as well as enough time to present any infrastructure and planning services department moved forward with the preparation of tender documents for the rehabilitation of the River Canard bridge located at the intersection of County Road 9 and County Road 10,” she told county council. “The scope of work for this project includes the complete replacement of the deck, barrier walls and guiderail system. The waterproofing layer and asphalt wearing surface will also be replaced. The abutment walls and wingwalls are being partially replaced in order to address their advanced concrete deterioration. The new deck will include steel girders and a semi-integral abutment.”

There were 15 pre-qualified contractors that were invited to bid on the project, Templin pointed out, there were three tender submissions. She said it is the opinion of administration that the submissions show an appropriate understanding of the scope of work and “reasonable reflect industry costs at this time.”

Templin also stated in her report that the “River Canard Bridge is one of the County’s larger structures and with a rehabilitation effort of this magnitude, the number of working days in construction and the associated road closure is expected to be lengthy. In order to accomplish the necessary works within the confines of the many environmental and construction related restrictions, construction will begin in the fall of 2023 and continue findings to council.

“What we have endeavored to do, and have expressed to the committee, is that we will work with them to allow them to bring forth anything they need, even if we have to bring forth a supplementary agenda,” said Fox. “Certainly, if there is some submission from that group and the timeline is short, we’ll work with them to achieve that end.”

Prue added the audit and finance committee, one that he used to sit on, has routinely requested actuals and not previous budget numbers.

“I don’t see that here,” said Prue. “I see previous budgets being listed again.” through the winter months and into the first half of 2024.”

Prince said the previous presentation contained actuals, and she anticipated bringing actuals with projections until the end of the year.

Councillor Molly Allaire asked if council would get results of the committee’s findings as well as the survey results in time. Critchley said they can turn it around quickly and have survey results to the committee as well.

LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche also asked about the communication with bus companies since construction will be happening when school is in session.

“We do have conversations with our lower tier municipalities and bus companies,” said Templin. “We communicate through our media releases, with emergency services as we proceed towards construction.”

Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue noted a bridge on County Road 11 (Walker Road) is shut down for 14 weeks and wanted to know how long the intersection of County Road 9 and 10 would be closed. Templin said the latter will be closed for eight months.

“How are (people) going to get home?” said Prue. “The detour is a challenge,” responded Templin. “We have spoken extensively with the Town of Amherstburg and others in the area and reviewed all of our detour options. We have additional signage we will be providing to direct people to businesses and where people need to get to.”

Prue said he received a call from a business owner on Walker Road saying the 14 weeks the bridge is closed is during his busiest 14 weeks, with Templin stating wayfinding signage with each individual business identified will be provided to direct them around the closure and to the businesses. She said that will continue when the County Road 9 and 10 intersection is closed to direct people into McGregor.

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