A week after hearing what the public thinks of its first budget with Strong Mayor powers, Windsor City Council continues budget deliberations on Monday.
The budget includes a 3.93 per cent increase in the municipal levy. Mayor Drew Dilkens hopes to have the spending plan approved by February 6.
"I think the takeaway here is, we're proposing to maintain existing service delivery in 2024," said Dilkens when he introduced the budget on January 8. "The increase is amongst the lowest in Ontario and the lowest in Essex County."
The rate increase for 2023 was 4.48 per cent.
Councillors can propose changes to the budget, but it will be up to Dilkens whether to accept those amendments or use his new powers to veto them.
Councillors Kieran McKenzie and Fabio Costante plan to test those powers when they propose changes to Transit Windsor that would boost service.
This year's budget includes $1.9-billion to fix roads and sewers and improve city parks and recreation programs.
Last Monday, residents raised concerns about a hike in Transit Windsor fares, ten per cent overall and 15 per cent if the rider is paying with cash. Parking fees also caught the eye of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, which argued an increase would only hurt local businesses.
"When they can go somewhere else for an evening dinner that doesn't require them to pay for parking after 6 p.m. -- [it] will change people's decisions and behaviours," argued Chair Chris MacLeod.
Councillors meet at 10 a.m.
