By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
In September of 2024, Essex Council adopted an Organizational Review in principle, which Linton Consulting conducted.
Kate Giurissevich, Chief Administrative Officer, provided Council with an update on the document during the November 3 meeting.
The review had various recommendations attached to the different Town departments, aimed at achieving an increase or improvement to efficiency across the organization.
The recommendations were split into two phases, Giurissevich said. The first phase was recommended to occur within the first six-months of the study. The second phase was to occur until the end of 2027.
Most of phase one has been accomplished, with approvals coming through the 2025 Budget deliberations, Giurissevich explained. Phase 2 recommendations will not be considered until 2026 Budget Deliberations. The Town’s Budget walkthrough will take place at the end of the month, before deliberations begin in early December.
Giurissevich noted that phase two recommendations may only be done to a partial extent, depending on where the tax rate falls, given rates of inflation and other increases.
She added that there are some other staffing constraints that Council and administration may want to review, even though they were not specified within the study. They were developed by herself in her first six months as CAO with the Town’s departments.
In answering Mayor Sherry Bondy regarding how the Town is doing in terms of staff vacancies and workload, Giurissevich noted Essex has a small staff compared to other municipalities. She intends to bring a report to Council’s attention to outline current staffing levels.
Whether through extended or medical leave, the Town has been fairly short staffed the past few months.
The report to Council notes that actual costs for the recommendations implemented in 2025 are expected to equate to $186,478. These costs were funded from the tax levy, grants, and salary stabilization reserve.
In 2026, Phase 2 planned recommendations indicate an estimated cost of $342,693 annually, and will be brought forward for Council consideration during the 2026 Budget Deliberations.
Council received the information.