Proclaiming the city's best days are ahead, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has tabled a municipal budget that he said is fiscally responsible, supports the most vulnerable, and sets Windsor up for future growth.
The budget calls for a 2.99 per cent increase in the municipal levy, down dramatically from the 12.9 per cent jump in the property tax rate announced in September when the 2025 budget process began.
"That was the pressure that we faced out of the gate, and that was something we hadn't seen in a long, long time," said Dilkens. "I think it's fair to say that myself, city administration, and every member of council felt was unacceptable."
Following Dilkens' bombshell preview of the budget four months ago, the budget underwent extensive review where no expense was considered sacred.
"This is once again below the average rate of inflation, and also down from last year's 3.93 per cent increase ensuring Windsor will remain one of the most affordable cities of its size in the entire province of Ontario," he said.
No sacred cows meant taking a hard look at discretionary spending, department by department. The budget process included the establishment of three finance committees to identify potential savings. Those efforts found over $2-million in savings.
Dilkens admitted the budget includes job cuts, although he refused to say how many before councillors review the spending plan for themselves.
He also hinted some programs paid for exclusively by Windsor and yet enjoyed by residents across the region may face further examination. That includes the Tunnel Bus and busing to the University of Windsor and St. Clair College.
Saying the college and university have enjoyed a windfall with high enrolment of foreign students in recent years, Dilkens suggested it may be time for them to share the expense.
So far, the city has not reached out to the college or the university, nor neighbouring municipalities.
At the same time, the city anticipates new development will bring in another $4.85-million in additional tax revenue, while another $5-million will come from a boost in internal investments and the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund.
However, Dilkens cautioned the public that while the city is poised for historic growth, Windsor must make the investments to attract investments, especially in the Sandwich South area.
He also told reporters Friday morning the city is on track to meet its housing target of 13,000 new homes by 2031, so it will get the full allotment of provincial and federal housing funding.
This year's recommended ten-year capital budget totals $2.24-billion. That includes $856.8-million for road construction and repairs, $485.2-million for sewers, and $186.2-million for parks and recreation.
Investments in 2025 will support development around the NextStar Energy EV battery plant, the future site of the Windsor-Essex Acute Care Hospital, and servicing airport lands. There is $169.3-million to improve Lauzon Parkway and the Cabana Road East corridor, $15-million for the Lauzon Parkway extension to Hwy. 401, $50-million for the Banwell Road and E.C. Row Expressway interchange, and $43.6-million for the Banwell Corridor.
"Our city is on the right track and this proposed budget is a key piece of the puzzle of how we will continue to build Windsor's future," said Dilkens.
The public is invited to comment on the budget during the January 13 city council meeting and councillors will start deliberations on January 27.