Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens presented the 2024 City of Windsor budget with a tax increase of 3.93 per cent.
This is below the rate of inflation and below last year's increase of 4.48 per cent.
"Achieving this reasonable and measured increase was no small feat. This was also accomplished while continuing to reduce our legacy debt and increasing our reserves," said Dilkens.
The proposed 10-year capital budget includes $1.9 billion for roads, sewers, and parks and recreation.
This is the first budget proposed since the Strong Mayors powers were introduced, giving Dilkens veto power over the budget.
Council will have an opportunity to propose changes to the budget but Dilkens will have the ability to veto those proposals.
The public will have an opportunity to address the mayor and city council at a meeting on January 22, 2024. After that meeting, council will schedule further meetings as necessary.
"I think the take away here is, we're propoising to maintain existing service delivery in 2024, pretty much the same as you've seen it in 2023. The increase is amongst the lowest in Ontario and the lowest in Essex County," said Dilkens.
The budget must be finalized by February 6, 2024.
