Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has presented a budget proposal that promises to hold the line on property taxes for 2026, but the path to achieving this freeze is partially obscured from public view. The mystery stems from a significant portion of the tabled documents being deliberately left blank, raising questions about potential cuts or changes that have yet to be disclosed.
A Budget with Empty Pages
According to documents published online in late December 2025, roughly a third of the proposed changes to the city's operating budget were not included for public scrutiny. Out of 308 total pages, 104 were intentionally left blank. Mayor Dilkens confirmed these pages relate to 41 separate in-camera items, which are matters discussed privately by city council, often involving legal advice, identifiable individuals, or potential staffing changes.
"When we're talking about positions, when we're talking about realignments or efficiencies, council may not take some of these cuts. They may opt to make a different choice," Dilkens told the Windsor Star. He defended the decision, stating, "You don't want to put out a public document that lights a flare and gets people who work here concerned about something that may never happen." He described the approach as a "sensible way to do it," permitted under the law.
How the Tax Freeze is Achieved
Despite the hidden details, the publicly available portions of the budget outline the financial pressures and proposed solutions. The total proposed municipal property tax levy for 2026 is set at nearly $505 million. The city faces several mandatory cost increases, including:
- $17.6 million for pre-approved wage adjustments, pensions, and benefits.
- $6.07 million to maintain current service levels.
- $6.91 million for agencies like Windsor police.
- $7.13 million for the asset management plan and road fund.
To offset these increases and deliver a tax freeze, the budget relies on $28.19 million in new revenue and "operating efficiencies," plus another $9.53 million from inflation mitigation measures. Some of these efficiency measures are among the details withheld in the blank pages.
Transparency Concerns and Public Impact
The decision to withhold information marks a departure from previous budget processes, which typically included projected departmental staffing numbers. Dilkens has stated that the in-camera items "mainly relate to identifiable individuals and staff positions" and expressed doubt that his budget contains "major changes" likely to spark significant public opposition.
However, the lack of transparency leaves residents and city employees uncertain about potential impacts on services and jobs. One specific change that was revealed is a proposal to extend parking meter enforcement further into the evening, a measure likely aimed at generating additional revenue.
The budget documents were tabled on December 18, 2025, with further discussions and decisions on the confidential items to occur behind closed doors in council sessions. The move ensures the tax freeze promise is front and centre, while the methods to achieve it remain, for now, a closely guarded municipal secret.
