ISSUE/PURPOSE
The Board of Health is required to approve the one-time business cases included in the 2025 Annual Service Plan and Budget Submission (ASP) that will be submitted to the Ministry of Health (MOH) on March 31, 2025.
BACKGROUND
The ASP includes budget information approved by the Board of Health on December 6, 2024. More specifically:
- 2025 Mandatory Programs Budget:
- 2025 Ontario Senior Dental Care Program Budget
- 2025 Requests for One-Time Business Cases
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure Renewal - Space Renovation/Optimization Project | 1,100,000 |
| Immunization Product Refrigerators | 80,000 |
| Public Health Inspector Practicum Program | 163,100 |
| New Dental Operatory Room | 75,000 |
| TOTAL | 1,418,100 |
Description of the Business Cases:
Infrastructure Renewal – Space Renovation/Optimization Project: This business case is to provide incremental funding for the Space Renovation/Optimization Project as discussed as part of the 2025 budget presentation to the Board of Health on Dec. 6, 2024. The budget estimates at this time for the project range between $4M - $4.5M. An initial total of $535K has been allocated for the first phases of the overall plan in the 2025 budget so this request would be in addition to that. In 2024, Di Maio Associates Architect Inc. was engaged to conduct a space needs assessment and optimization plan. The needs assessment is complete, and the Leadership Team has finalized all changes to the floor plan to optimize the existing space. This project will also include a complete renovation of the interior flooring, painting and lighting that has not been refreshed in decades, will address Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliance issues and create team synergies, more functional meeting space and centralized storage. This project will greatly improve access and accessibility for clients and enhance program and service functionality for staff.
Immunization Product Refrigerators: This business case is to fund the replacement of four (4) double-door vaccine fridges nearing end of useful life and are having ongoing maintenance issues.
Public Health Inspector Practicum Program: This business case supports the salaries for four (4) students to support the Vector Borne Disease Program and two (2) public health inspector practicum students. The students support the general operations of the Environmental Health department while gaining the well-rounded experience to complete their certification.
New Dental Operatory Room: This business case is to fund the complete fit-out of a new dental operatory to maintain or reduce wait times for clients of the Ontario Senior Dental Care and Healthy Smiles Ontario programs. Costs associated with the creation of an additional operatory include a new dental chair including installation, mobile cabinets and associated equipment for the room.
PROPOSED MOTION
Whereas, the Board of Health for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has approved the 2025 Budget which included budget information for the Mandatory Programs funded by the MOH and the Obligated Municipalities on a cost shared basis and the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program funded at a rate of 100% by the MOH.
Whereas, the WECHU is required to submit is Annual Service Plan and Budget Submission to the MOH on March 31, 2025, inclusive of the aforementioned budget approvals as well as additional requests for one-time 100% funded business cases from the MOH, and
Now therefore be it resolvedthat the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health approve the following additional one-time business cases to be funded at a rate of 100% by the MOH:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure Renewal - Space Renovation/Optimization Project | 1,100,000 |
| Immunization Product Refrigerators | 80,000 |
| Public Health Inspector Practicum Program | 163,100 |
| New Dental Operatory Room | 75,000 |
| TOTAL | 1,418,100 |