Mayor Dilkens Previews Draft 2026 City of Windsor Budget Focused on Investment, Growth, Sustainability, and Moving Forward Together
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has provided a high-level preview of the 2026 City of Windsor Budget prepared by City administration and presented to the Mayor this week for his review and consideration.
In October, Mayor Dilkens issued Mayoral Decision (MD) 23-2025, directing City administration to prepare a 2026 budget that holds the line on taxes while maintaining funding for the City’s Asset Management Plan and continuing to invest in infrastructure, growth, and development through the 10-year capital plan that includes the largest local road rehabilitation and repair program in the City’s history.
Proposed 2026 Budget Highlights:
The 2026 budget prepared for the Mayor’s consideration and previewed at City Hall today proposes a 0% tax levy increase, and includes a $2.26 billion 10-year capital plan — the largest capital budget in the City’s history — with the following investments contemplated for 2026 alone:
- $317.3 million in capital investments
- $163.8 million for roads
- $60.0 million for sewers
- $29.2 million for community services (parks, recreation, facilities, and culture)
- $5.4 million capital investment in public transit
Next Steps – Budget Timelines:
Mayor Dilkens will continue his review of the draft budget, with plans to officially table the budget on December 29, 2025.
Once the Mayor has officially tabled the budget later this month, and pursuant to provincial legislation, City Council will have 30 days to propose amendments to the 2026 proposed budget. The public will have two weeks to review the budget after it has been tabled. Council will then hear from delegations on January 12, 2026. At the conclusion of that meeting, Council will decide on the frequency of subsequent deliberations on the budget up to January 26, 2026.
As has been Mayor Dilkens’ process throughout his time leading Council, each member of City Council was once again this year consulted on a one-on-one basis and provided the opportunity to make suggestions for the budget during the preparation period. Additionally, Mayor Dilkens and members of City administration participated in each ward meeting again this year to hear directly from residents as part of the public consultation process.
Further updates will be provided once Mayor Dilkens has reviewed and officially tabled the budget later this month.
Quote:
“Windsorites, City Council, and City administration know my record of fiscal prudence, and my commitment to delivering responsible budgets that support our city’s evolution, while ensuring quality of life. Each year, our budgets ensure continued significant investments in growth and delivery of services, while maintaining the tax levy increase at or below the rate of inflation. Our strategic budgets have ensured that Windsor remains one of the most affordable communities in Ontario. Through a commitment to fiscal responsibility, the City has saved Windsor taxpayers a cumulative $1.57 billion from 2008 to 2026. Since 2006, Windsor residents have experienced a total increase in the tax levy of only 24% versus the provincial average of 87%. This continues to have a profound impact on daily lives for folks across the community. At a time when the cost of living is high, we’re facing uncertainties in the global economy, and folks are working hard to make ends meet, we have your back. Building Windsor’s Future requires a continued focus on investment, growth, and sustainability. The times that we are in demand of us that we keep affordability top of mind while we build our city up. I called for a budget that reflects, acknowledges, and works to minimize the pain that is being felt in our community. City administration has delivered. We’re in a good place, and we got here by making strategic investments and difficult decisions, informed by a commitment to fiscal responsibility and to taxpayers. I look forward to reviewing the budget and officially tabling it later this month.”
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens