The average Windsor homeowner could see an increase of $59 on their property taxes next year.
City of Windsor administration has prepared a municipal budget that would see an overall tax increase of 1.9 per cent.
"We're delivering for residents who have been hit hard by the global pandemic and are facing rising costs at grocery stores and gas stations by limiting our overall tax levy increase to less than half the rate of inflation next year," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
A large portion of the increase, 1.1 per cent, would go toward the asset management plan which goes towards maintaining city fleets, facilities, and other assets. The remaining 0.8 per cent is included in the budgets of the agencies, boards, and committees like land ambulance and the Windsor Police Service.
"We can't keep up with the needs of our growing city by holding the line at zero overall because that would absolutely require cutting things to our capital spending projects but it would also create a deferred maintenance problem," said Dilkens.
The 10-year capital plan invests $1.7 billion in infrastructure renewal.
"Our capital plan invests in our community in each neighbourhood and it certainly helps improve the quality of life for Windsor residents while simultaneously building up our city as a place for businesses to locate and create jobs," said Dilkens.
Not included in the overall budget is about $25 million in expected pandemic related costs that continue to put pressure on the budget. The administration continues to work with upper levels of government to have these costs covered.
"We remain optimistic, we continue to advocate very strongly for the funding and we're in a similar situation to many other municipalities," said Chief Administrative Officer Jason Reynar.
The proposed municipal budget will be debated at the Windsor City Council meeting on December 13, 2021.
