Essex County Council met on May 6, 2026, to address community safety initiatives, local infrastructure projects, and the ongoing rollout of the regional organic waste program.
During the meeting, Warden Hilda MacDonald recognized Emergency Preparedness Week, which took place from May 3 to May 10, 2026. She encouraged residents to ensure their households are prepared for 72-hour emergencies by creating family plans and packing emergency kits. Following this, the County of Essex held its annual emergency exercise on May 7, 2026, at the county administration building, which focused on managing potential risks related to legacy oil and gas wells.
Council also reviewed the costs associated with the regional green bin program. The Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority has contracted Seacliff Energy Corp. to process organic waste at its facility in Leamington. Under the agreement, the cost per tonne is set at $140 for 2026, with prices increasing annually to $155 by 2029. Optional extensions could see these rates rise to $172 per tonne by 2032.
In addition to local operations, county officials provided updates on advocacy efforts at Queen’s Park. Warden MacDonald and the county’s Chief Administrative Officer, Sandra Zwiers, met with provincial ministers to discuss regional priorities. These discussions included a request for a new grade-separated interchange at County Roads 19 (Manning Road) and 22, which the county reports was well received by the Ministry of Transportation.
Paramedic services are also undergoing changes, as the province has fast-tracked a new dispatch model for Essex-Windsor EMS. The transition to the new system is expected to occur between June and September 2026. According to EMS Chief Justin Lammers, the primary goal of this update is to ensure that residents facing life-threatening emergencies receive assistance as quickly as possible.
Other business during the meeting included a confirmation that the Sun Parlor Home has met its compliance requirements for the current year. Council also reiterated that, according to the county code of conduct, the use of public resources or staff time for any election-related activity is strictly prohibited.
