2.99% tax increase in proposed 2025 Windsor budget

Proposed 2025 Windsor budget CTV Windsor’s Sanjay Maru shows us the proposed 2025 Windsor budget with a 2.99 per cent tax increase.

The proposed 2025 City of Windsor budget includes a 2.99 per cent tax increase.

Mayor Drew Dilkens tabled the budget today as part of his legislated responsibilities under the Municipal Act.

The proposed 2.99 per cent municipal tax levy increase is below the average annual blended rate of inflation and below last year’s 3.93 per cent increase.

“This proposed 2025 municipal budget for the City of Windsor focuses on investment, growth, and sustainability, while delivering a modest tax levy increase to the residents and navigating the opportunities and challenges associated with the rapid and unprecedented growth of our city and the surrounding region,” said Dilkens.

He said the city has saved Windsor taxpayers a cumulative $1.47 billion from 2008 to 2024, which translates into $96.7 million savings in 2025 with anticipated and continued annual savings accruing to taxpayers well into the future.

“Through dedication and careful strategic planning, the Corporation continues to efficiently allocate resources and prioritize essential investments to secure the ongoing provision of services, growth, and resiliency of our city and the Windsor community,” said CAO Joe Mancina.

Earlier this year, in an effort to address significant budgetary pressures for 2025, Dilkens said they did the following:

In addition to proposed changes to some city services, which will result in cost savings that will be deliberated by council in the coming weeks, further reductions to the tax levy were supported by:

Contemplated in the overall investments for 2025 are:

Dilkens said “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. These include:

According to provincial legislation, council has 30 days to propose amendments to the 2025 proposed budget. The public and city council will have two weeks to review the budget.

Council will then hear from delegations on Jan. 13. At the conclusion of that meeting, council will meet to deliberate the 2025 City Budget on Jan. 27, with any additional rounds of deliberations scheduled, as required, between Jan. 28 to Feb.3.