Conservation authority proposes $9M budget

The Essex Region Conservation Authority plans to focus more resources on battling the effects of climate change as part of its proposed $9-million 2018 budget.

Windsor and Essex County municipalities will contribute $3,148,752 next year — $101,019 more than 2017 — to the budget if it is approved Feb. 8. That works out to a tax increase of about nine cents — $16 from $15.91 — for an average household.

The authority plans to launch a regional climate change adaptation strategy and improved mapping of flood zones. It will also establish more than 100 acres of new habitat and wetland and boost efforts to combat phosphorus levels in Lake Erie, which can lead to algae growth.

“A robust suite of high-priority projects and programs to protect and restore the natural environment of the region will be undertaken,” general manager Richard Wyma said in a news release.

A full-time climate change specialist will be hired along with a regulations/engineering technician and a graphic designer. In addition, conservation area and Greenway maintenance hours will increase.

The authority was able to reduce a projected $490,000 increase to the levy through an internal program review.

Wyma said ERCA’s operational levy funds less than 30 per cent of its operations, placing the authority in the bottom five of all conservation authorities and well below the provincial average of 45 per cent.

Conservation area annual passes, which allow unlimited access to Holiday Beach and Hillman Marsh conservation areas and the John R. Park Homestead, will increase to $75 (a $5 hike) for 2018.

Other fee increases include a bump up to $175 from $125 for lawyer requests for information on properties and a jump to $425 from $275 for site surveys to set elevations and facilitate permits and development.

Drainage and regulation team protocols (DART) submission reviews that involve additional time to research municipal drainage bylaws will go up to $200 from $150.