Dilkens proposes nearly 4% tax hike to maintain city services

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.

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.

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 — instead, it's about maintaining the services the city provided in 2023.

"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."

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.

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.

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.