By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
A motion that would have implemented a hiring freeze for any newly created full-time and part-time positions at the Town of Essex – tabled just before 2025 Budget Deliberations start – did not get enough support to pass during the regular meeting on November 18.
At the November 4 meeting, Mayor Sherry Bondy brought this forward as a Notice of Motion.
“I just realized, going into the budget, we need to look for some ways to stabilize our budget,” Bondy said. “This is probably going to be our hardest budget this term.”
At the November 4 meeting, Council received a Budget Overview, which recommended hiring two positions. The largest impact to Essex’s expenses is the increase in OPP contracted services, which includes contractual increases for wage settlements. The annual increase in this contract is $615,984. That equates to a 3.3% tax rate impact.
Bondy pointed to the OPP increase coming, and contractual obligations for Town staff positions. The Budget Overview outlined net contractual increases of $590,485. In 2024, the Town settled the new Union contract, effective until 2027. The Town also approved the non-union salary review. A funding strategy was presented at that time.
“It was just something to talk about with Council, and see what the will of Council is,” Bondy said. “I am just looking to make the budget a little easier on our residents.”
This could be revisited through the year in a business case from staff or if a grant opportunity is presented, she added. If there is a grant or upswing in a department, staff could plead that later in the year. Going into the budget, she wanted to be fiscally responsible.
“This is just a way to show residents right away that we have their back,” Bondy added. “We have some hard decisions. We either need to cut staff, cut services, or cut capital projects.”
She noted she already knows the Town will not be able to do the same number of capital projects in 2025 as it approved for this year.
Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais supported the motion because she thought it was a great idea.
Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley asked if there was a timeline in mind, and asked if an existing staff position would be refilled if it was vacated.
CAO Doug Sweet noted that the freeze would be for brand-new positions, where additional funding would be needed. In terms of a timeline, Shepley recommended the new hire freeze remain until May. The mover and seconder agreed to that.
“I think we should always be cognisant of adding employees,” Councillor Joe Garon said, noting he believes Council does that at budget time anyway. Though he believes Council needs to be flexible, he did not believe the motion needed to be put forward as it will be hashed out at budget time. He does not want to agree with a hiring freeze without getting to see the budget document first.
A Budget Walkthrough meeting is scheduled for November 25.
When called, Bondy’s motion failed.