The City of Windsor 2025 budget has been finalized with a 2.98 per cent increase.
The budget was finalized after the vote to overturn the mayor's veto was held on Friday. With the mayor's decision to eliminate the tunnel bus upheld the budget was officially adopted.
The budget includes $312.7 million in capital investments for 2025. Within that capital budget there's $856.8 million for roads, $485.2 million for sewers, $186.2 million for parks and recreation and $182 million for transportation.
"“With Windsor at an inflection point, navigating the opportunities and challenges associated with the rapid and unprecedented growth that has positioned us as one of the most important communities to watch in Ontario and Canada, this was another important budget year. The approved budget invests heavily in roads, sewers, parks, recreation, and transit; and focuses on supporting the increased growth and development in the Sandwich South lands and surrounding areas,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
There were $1,396,428 of Transit Windsor enhancements approved in the 2025 budget. However, the school extra program and the Tunnel bus elimination will result in a $2-million savings annually.
"Realignment of buses and resources from the School Extras adds 15,000 service hours and nine buses during peak periods to the entire community system. Meanwhile, elimination of the Tunnel Bus will save over $1.6 million in annual costs in future budget years; put an end to taxpayers subsidizing every tunnel bus rider to the tune of $50 for a round-trip," said Dilkens.
Dilkens has committed to using savings from eliminating the tunnel bus to continue some of the school-extra service until the end of the year to give school boards more time to find alternatives.