Windsor mayor's draft budget proposes 2.99% tax increase

It looks like Windsor's municipal tax increase for 2025 will come in around three per cent. When council was first presented the proposed budget last year the number was over 12 per cent.

Mayor Drew Dilkens presented his final draft budget Friday morning with a 2.99 per cent proposed hike. In 2024, it was 3.91 per cent.

"While ensuring that Windsor remains one of the most affordable cities of its size in the province, this proposed budget is designed to empower progress, strategically bolster and streamline services, and build a stronger and more resilient city for future generations," said Dilkens.

Council can pitch changes any anytime to the document, which needs to be voted on before it officially passes. Delegations will be held Jan. 13 with council deliberating on Jan. 27. That said, strong mayor powers could still push it through.

He says there will be staff reductions.

"There's a lot of in-camera work," he said. "There's certainly no need to set off any fireworks until we get to the end of the process and understand exactly where it is we're going."

A city hall hiring freeze was instituted in 2024 to assist in lowering the proposed tax increase.

Saying it isn't a "slash and burn budget," Dilkens did divulge the budget process has involved some extremely tough discussions.

"Some of the some of the pain we put on ourselves for all the years that we did zero [investment]."

"It's a question of wants and needs and it's important to understand the municipality is a business," added downtown Ward 3 Coun. Renaldo Agostino.

"Some years you got to tighten the belt a little bit and some years you have to loosen it."

A media release stated the proposed budget focuses on investment, growth and sustainability while managing reserves and debt levels.

"Notable 2025 investments through the capital plan include a number of projects that support development around the NextStar Energy EV battery factory, the site of the future Windsor-Essex Acute Care Hospital, and further development of Sandwich South, including the servicing of airport lands," it listed.

The breakdown provided included:

• $169.3 million for Lauzon Parkway / Cabana Road East – County Road 42.
• $35.6 million for airport employment lands servicing.
• $15 million for the Lauzon Parkway Extension to Highway 401.
• $50 million for the Banwell Road / E.C. Row Expressway Interchange.
• $43.6 million for the Banwell Corridor.
• $6.2 million for the East Riverside Planning District on Wyandotte Street.

Other notable infrastructure projects for 2025 include:

• Howard Avenue / South Camera intersection work between Division Road and Kenilworth Road.
• Ongoing work on Lauzon Parkway, north of the E.C. Row Expressway.
• Continued work on University Avenue.
• Project tender for the new Peace Fountain.
• Installation of a cricket pitch for Derwent Park.
• Phase 1A of the South Cameron Trail.
• Replacement of the Optimist playground.