City of Windsor 2025 Budget Finalized at 2.98% Tax Levy Increase

After public consultation, Finance Committee analysis and recommendations, public delegations, Council amendments and final calculations by City administration, the City of Windsor’s 2025 budget has been finalized and adopted. Mayor Dilkens’ fiscally prudent and responsible budget comes in with a 2.98% municipal tax levy increase, which is well below last year’s 3.93%* increase.

Through a continued commitment to fiscal responsibility, the City has saved Windsor taxpayers a cumulative $1.47 billion from 2008 to 2024, which translates into $96.7 million in savings in 2025 with anticipated and continued annual savings accruing to taxpayers well into the future. When compared to the average tax levy increases reported by local municipalities and the province for cities of a similar size, Windsor’s tax levy increase remains significantly below many of our peers. 

The approved budget continues to focus on investment, growth, and sustainability while continuing to strategically manage reserves, debt levels, and debt servicing primarily from non-tax revenue sources. As part of the budget, Mayor Dilkens included a $2.24 billion 10-year capital budget to sustain the city’s continued sharp growth trajectory, with the increase primarily made up of increased growth and development in the Sandwich South lands and surrounding areas. This includes $312.7 million in capital investments for 2025. Included in the overall investments for 2025 are the following:

• $856.8 million for roads
• $485.2 million for sewers
• $186.2 million for parks and recreation
• $182 million for transportation

The City’s increase in average annual investment in roads and sewers infrastructure is 88% since 2019.

“The 2025 City Budget focuses on investment, growth, and sustainability to support Windsor’s evolution,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “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.”

In accordance with the Municipal Act, the Mayor is required to table an annual budget for City Council’s consideration on or before February 1 each year. Mayor Dilkens tabled the 2025 City budget on January 3, 2025, with a proposed 2.99% tax levy increase supported by recommendations to streamline processes, leverage efficiencies across City departments, and focus on core City services.

Following two weeks of review, Council heard from public delegations on January 13, 2025, and held a special meeting on January 27, 2025, wherein City Council proposed a number of amendments to the budget, including maintaining the Tunnel Bus service, resulting in a proposed tax levy increase of 3.15%. Through Mayoral Decision MD 06-2025, Mayor Dilkens exercised his authority to veto that particular Council amendment. Council met on February 21, 2025, to vote to overturn the Mayor’s veto. However, the vote upheld the Mayor’s veto, and the 2025 City Budget is now finalized and approved.

As part of the overall process this year, including one-one-one meetings between Mayor Dilkens and all Councillors, as well as participation in three Finance Committees, each member of City Council was consulted and provided opportunities to identify efficiencies and opportunities to streamline services, propose potential savings, comment on the proposed budget, and make suggestions for amendments.

“As with each year, transit was a big part of these budget discussions,” Mayor Dilkens said. “Transit Windsor’s budget has increased by over 40% over the last 12 years, with significant investments in new buses, infrastructure and routes. In the cases of both the Tunnel Bus and School Extras, I began difficult and necessary conversations when I tabled a budget that considered past and future transit investments and weighed those against the need to focus on core services for all residents. 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; and push back against a federal Liberal government that has priced us out of this niche service with legislated changes that, in the absence of strong federal representation for solutions that work for Windsor, really never took our unique border community needs into consideration. That decision, arrived at through democratic processes available to myself and City Council, also sends a strong message that Windsor will stand up for fair trade policies in the face of ongoing tariff threats from the United States. At the end of the day, the approved budget empowers progress, strategically bolsters and streamlines services, and builds a stronger and more resilient city while also ensuring that Windsor remains one of the most affordable cities of its size in Ontario.” 

*In 2024, City Council also approved a budget amendment of 0.7% as relates to funding required for the Strengthen the Core initiative.