Windsor budget maintains services with 4% hike, mayor says

Windsor residents are facing a proposed tax hike of nearly 4 per cent this year, but Windsor's mayor says the budget, his first tabled under newly granted strong mayor powers, simply maintains the status quo. 

The proposed budget includes a 3.93 per cent increase. The 2023 budget included a 4.48 per cent increase. 

"What you'll find here are very sensible, almost pain-free proposals to continue service delivery in 2024 much the same that you've seen in 2023," Dilkens said. 

"This 2024 budget is a delicate balance of compromises and investments."

According to the city, about 0.18 per cent of the budget is discretionary spending. The rest of the budget is contractual obligations and inflationary costs. 

But the budget does include about $18 million in new spending, the largest chunk of that — about $6 million — going toward raises and cost of benefits increases for city staff. 

Dilkens says this budget doesn't result in job losses for city staff. But despite the tax hike, residents shouldn't expect too much more for the added cost. 

"This budget is really about maintaining service delivery," Dilkens said. "In this budget, you will see some requirements to add staff to maintain service delivery."

Dilkens says the city will add nine Transit Windsor drivers this year after changes to federal legislation requiring 10 paid medical leave days a year. 

In response to a question, Dilkens acknowledged the city's master plans, which outline timelines for improvements to city services, but said there would not be significant improvements in areas like transit.

"I think if money were no object, we would implement every item in every single master plan tomorrow. Clearly that is not possible," he said. "And so you won't see marked improvements in transit this year — except that we're preparing for and getting ready for the opening of NextStar. 

"But … in order to keep it at 3.93 per cent, I had to make specific decisions that I will put in front of city council. But clearly if city council in their majority feels that, you know, increasing and adding to this number here to deliver increased transit services is important, that's the type of discussion we're going to have around the council table.

The budget Dilkens proposed includes a $1.9 billion, 10-year capital plan that budgets for $206.9 million in capital spending for 2024.

"As part of the overall process this year, each member of city council was consulted on a one-on-one basis and granted the ability to comment and make suggestions for amendments," the city said in a press release.

The budget includes road improvements for Banwell and EC Row and Walker Road, as well as the elimination of dog licence fees for microchipped and fixed dogs. 

'No red flags' councillors say

Many councillors were on hand for the presentation of the budget. 

"If you look at one of the main concerns of residents throughout Windsor it was keeping our taxes low," said Ward 7 Coun. Angelo Marignani. "This budget hits that on the mark, being the lowest in Essex County."

"I can say I haven't see any red flags at this point," said Ward 9 Coun. Kieran McKenzie. "The challenges … are most often found in the details, what are the specific choices that were made around the different initiatives we would fund?'"

The city has found extra money in some other places, like the snow removal budget: Last year the municipality saved $1 million. They're also banking on revenue from the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and sports betting at Caesars Windsor going up this year. 

But despite the no-frills nature of the budget, Dilkens spoke optimistically about the investment and growth the city has seen over the last several years. 

"Windsor stands at an inflection point and we have incredible economic opportunities and job creation on the horizon," he said. "And this growth has certainly positioned us as the revival city with promising economic growth indicators.

"Now the economic indicators are favourable and the wind is at our backs."

Public consultation set for Jan. 22

Under the province's strong mayor legislation, the mayor prepares the budget, instead of council as in years past. Councillors have 30 days to propose changes to the budget and the mayor can veto any council changes for an additional 10 days. Council can override the mayor's veto with a two-thirds vote. 

The powers were granted to Toronto and Ottawa in December 2022 and extended to municipalities including Windsor in July 2023. 

The proposed budget is online now and public consultations will be held on Jan. 22. Council is expected to adopt the budget in early February.