Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has developed a 2026 budget with a proposed 0 per cent tax increase.
"Zero, I think, is the right thing for this particular point in time. We can't do zero every year. Zero every year would mean not investing in certain things and reaching certain goals that we want to reach," said Dilkens. "In this particular year, at this particular point in time, I would submit to you that I think it's the right thing to do."
Dilkens presented a high-level overview of the budget to the media on Thursday afternoon. Very few details were released as the budget documents will not be officially tabled until December 29, 2025.
The Windsor Police Service Board already approved a 4.6 per cent increase to the policing budget.
Dilkens indicated some difficult decisions had to be made to prepare a budget with a zero per cent increase while fulfilling contractual obligations and addressing community safety.
"It's hard. It requires us to go through line by line in the budget and find, in a lot of ways, find efficiencies. What are we doing today or what do we have on the plan that we want to do next year that doesn't have to be done next year, that can be put forward to a future year? It does require some level of sacrifice," said Dilkens.
Despite that, Dilkens indicated there are no major service level cuts included in the budget.
"I don't think residents are going to see anything outstanding in terms of service level cuts. I've always said that there are no sacred cows, that everything is open for review. I've said that every year, and this year is no different," said Dilkens.
The 2026 budget does include $317.3 million in capital investments for roads, sewers, and public transit.
Once the budget is tabled, city council will have 30 days to propose amendments. Council will hear from delegations on January 12, 2026.
