We still don't know how much more Windsor residents may pay in property taxes this year.
Windsor City Council voted Monday to end its budget review after two full sessions of deliberations. However, the 2024 budget is the first under strong mayor powers.
Under this system, the budget comes from the mayor's office. Mayor Drew Dilkens introduced the proposed spending plan on January 8. Councillors may then deliberate over the following 30 days and create amendments.
Dilkens may veto any of the amendments. But, any mayoral vetos could be overridden by at least eight of the councillors. Once the amendments are decided upon, the budget takes effect.
The City of Windsor is the only municipality in the region that may use this system. In other Windsor-Essex communities, councillors must discuss amendments, then vote yes or no on the entire budget package.
One proposal introduced Monday was from Ward 2 Councillor Fabio Costante and Ward 9's Kieran McKenzie, which was a plan to reallocate Transit Windsor buses by taking those set aside for use by high school students and putting them on the roads during peak times. It was rejected.
Monday's session lasted over four hours.
The 2024 draft budget currently calls for another 3.93 per cent in the municipal levy, below the rate of inflation and last year's 4.48 per cent increase. Dilkens said the increase is the lowest among Windsor-Essex communities.
The mayor said he hoped the budget would be ready by February 6.
-with files from Adelle Loiselle and Maureen Revait
