Windsor's next mayor faces budget pressure before day one
Windsor's next mayor walks into a tight budget. Mayor-elect Fred Francis takes office Nov. 15. By mid-year, City staff had flagged about $5.5M in 2026 shortfalls and extra costs, led by Transit, and told departments to rein in hiring and spending.
Topics: Roads and transitCouncil and City HallMoney and taxes
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Windsor's incoming mayor, Fred Francis, will take over a City budget that is already under strain. The new council has not been sworn in yet.
Francis beat three-term mayor Drew Dilkens on Oct. 26, with 28,204 votes to 20,021 in official results the City Clerk certified on Oct. 28. The new council takes office at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 15. The City has tentatively set a ceremonial inaugural meeting for Monday, Nov. 16, and the first regular council meeting for Monday, Nov. 23.
What the City's own numbers show
A City finance report to council, C 81/2026 (2026 second-quarter operating budget variance), found about $5.5 million in revenue that didn't come in and costs nobody planned for in 2026. The total projected variance was $5,471,200.
Transit Windsor projected a $5.12 million deficit, not counting fuel. Fares and other revenue were $3.18 million below budget, overtime was up $0.93 million and vehicle maintenance was up $0.6 million.
Fuel added a projected $1.62 million deficit across the City.
Windsor Fire & Rescue projected $1.26 million, mostly overtime tied to WSIB and other absences.
Planning projected $720,000, Communications (mainly 311) $500,000, and Public Works $496,000.
These were partly offset by a projected $2 million surplus from interest and penalties on overdue property taxes, and about $664,000 back from outside agencies.
The 2026 budget was built for a zero per cent tax levy change.
What staff are doing about it
Departments were asked to consider whether a job really needs filling before hiring, and told to restrict discretionary spending and skip bulk buying. Staff said the City may defer a $2.02 million transfer into its Budget Stabilization Reserve, or draw from reserves. The report said $5.2 million was left in that reserve when it was written.
What comes next
Under a provincial rule in force since June, the 2027 budget can't be tabled before Jan. 1. The deadline is Feb. 1, and council then has 30 days to amend it.
