Summary of 2026 Budget Amendments

Council deliberated the 2026 Budget and made the following amendments:

• Removed item 2026-001 - Increase to Training and Conference Budget to Support Grant Charter.

• Removed the Council wage increase for cost-of-living adjustment.

• Removed item 2026-070 – Automation Software.

• Added $20,000 to the Communications and Engagement budget for community of communities branding and activity, to be funded from the Invest Windsor-Essex Economic Development reserve.

• Reduced item 2026-004 - Recruitment Funding - Management, Union and Seasonal Positions to $80,000 and returned the proposed additional funds to the Contingency Reserve.

• That item 2026-005 - Additional Consultant Funding - Investigations Support be funded from the Employee Related Reserve.

• Added an additional $28,462 to item 2026-110 - Position Conversion - Remove 2 Seasonals, Add Additional Full Time Park Operator, in order to allow for a Lead Hand position.

• Removed item 2026-013 - Increase to Training and Conference Budget.

• Removed the $25,000 contribution to the Economic Development reserve from the Growth and Sustainability Admin budget.

• Added $22,800 to the Animal Control budget to reflect the removal of dog tag licensing.

• Removed $74,178.75 from item 2026-039 - Public Works Equipment Operator to reflect hiring in Q4 2026.

• Added $360,000 to the Capital budget for the municipal portion of the upgrade of 1.8 kms CWATS trail for the EC Way 100 cycling trail, to be funded from the Trails - New reserve.

• Removed item ATRC-26-6790 2009 Ice Resurfacer Replacement and removed the corresponding $220,000 transfer to the Vehicles and Equipment Reserve.

• Reduced item CAP-19-6259 - Wallace Road Reconstruction by $970,000, to spend no more than $4,000,000 on the project, with the proposed additional funds to be transferred back to the Roads Lifecycle Reserve.

• Removed item ATRC-26-6858 - Parking Study for ATRC Lands, transfer the $20,000 funds to the Plans and Studies Reserve, and directed Administration to bring back a report regarding the cost to include granular surfacing on the north side of the building.

• Increased item COM-26-6820 - Professional Camera by $5,000, to be funded from the Technology and Office Equipment Reserve.

• Removed item COM-26-6821 - Community Satisfaction Survey and Citizen Panel Recruitment and transferred the proposed $40,000 back to the Plans and Studies Reserve.

• Deferred item ENG-26-6492 - Transportation Master Plan and removed $400,000 from the 2026 budget.

• Deferred item ENG-26-6816 - Tree Planting Program for Older Subdivision, and removed $20,000 from the 2026 Budget.

• Removed item ENG-26-6850 and returned the proposed $350,000 to the Wastewater Reserve Fund.

• Clarified that item ENG-26-6871 - Notre Dame and First Street Intersection include design alternatives for the remaining lands, including the 616 Notre Dame Street parcel.

• Removed item ENG-26-6875 - Private Road Pilot Program and included a corresponding one-time reduction of $100,000 to the Roads Lifecycle Reserve.

• Removed item FAC-26-6859 - OPP Station CCTV Security Cameras and included a one-time reduction on $10,000 in the transfer to the Facilities and Properties reserve.

• Clarified that item MAR-26-6860 - Marina Building and Launch Area Concept Design Plan include public consultation after a preliminary scope of work is presented to Council for consideration.

• Removed item PRK-26-6865 - Replacement of Multi-Purpose Utility Tractor and included a one-time reduction of $80,000 to the Vehicles and Equipment Reserve.

• Deferred item PRK-26-6603 - Tree Planting Program.

• Included a one-time reduction of $440,000 to the transfer to the Gravel Roads Conversion Reserve.

• Added a one-time $970,000 to item RDS-20-6478 Annual Lifecycle Asphalt Resurfacing Program, to be funded from the Roads Lifecycle Reserve.

• Added an additional one-time contribution of $30,000 to item RDS-26-6838 - Tree Bed Reset, to be funded from the Invest Windsor-Essex Development Reserve. 

• Removed item UEM-26-6825 EV Charging Stations for Municipal Fleet and included a corresponding one-time transfer of $100,000 to the Facility/Property New Reserve.

• Approved deferred Item 16 - Team Leader - Roads and Fleet for a two-year contract only.

• Transferred the remaining funds in the Invest Windsor-Essex Economic Development Reserve and the OCLIF Cannabis Legalization Reserve to the Contingency Fund.

Council also directed that Mayor Bailey send letters to the Province of Ontario regarding concern in the reduction of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) and the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) funding.