For the first time in eight years the City of Windsor will likely have a tax levy increase.
Administration is recommending a budget with a 2.7% increase or $75 for the average home assessed at $150,000.
Mayor Drew Dilkens says a 0% increase is possible this year, but would be painful.
"Freezing taxes is a bit like crack cocaine people become addicted to it, they almost expect it year after year. At the end of the day I think everyone is looking for their elected officials to be fair and reasonable," says Dilkens. "It would not be pretty getting to zero this year. To get to zero would require some very painful cuts that I think the community would have a hard time accepting. Those include the closing of one or more libraries and the closing of Forest Glade Community Centre."
Dilkens is confident council will be able to bring the increase below 2% without making those painful cuts.
Budget pressures include rising hydro costs, increased salaries and bigger budgets from the city's agencies, boards and commissions like the solid waste authority and health unit. The budgets of the agencies, boards and commissions make up 1% of the 2.7% increase.
Items helping ease the budget pressures this year are $1.6-million in new tax revenue, and a renegotiated insurance policy saving the city $1-million.
The budget will be debated on January 23, 2016.
