Windsor tax levy increase for 2025 [Video]

After years of keeping tax increases below the rate of inflation, Windsor may be facing its most challenging budget year yet.

During Monday’s Windsor city council meeting, Mayor Drew Dilkens said maintaining service levels with the current operating budget is no longer feasible — a significant tax levy increase will be necessary.

“It’s fair to say that it’s higher than we’ve seen in the past 20 years,” Dilkens said.

The primary budget pressures heading into 2025 are driven by inflation and contractual obligations, such as salary, wage and benefit increases for city staff, including police and fire services, Dilkens said.

In response, the city is taking a new approach to prioritizing its billion-dollar municipal budget.

Windsor’s 10 councillors will be divided into three committees: one group of four and two groups of three.

Each committee will be tasked with recommending adjustments in specific budget areas. The largest group will review …