The Windsor Police Service has requested a budget increase of slightly over four percent for the upcoming year, despite the city’s aim to maintain costs at the current level. The 2026 budget for the police force was approved by the police service board, with City Council’s approval still pending.
Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac, the board chair, disclosed that the total budget amounts to $122 million, emphasizing the necessity of these funds for community safety. A significant portion of the proposed increase is attributed to uncontrollable rising expenses such as contractual and collective agreement increments, amounting to approximately $2.2 million.
Additionally, the police service anticipates allocating an extra million dollars towards overtime in the coming year. Gignac highlighted ongoing efforts by local leaders to address with the provincial government the escalating policing costs that are straining municipal budgets due to mandated equipment upgrades and limited operational flexibility.
Mayor Drew Dilkens has instructed city staff to prepare a budget proposal with a zero percent tax increase, a challenging task as the city grapples with high unemployment rates amidst trade tensions with the United States. The approved 2025 budget had a 2.99 percent increase and forecasted a $41 million additional requirement for 2026, representing a 4.2 percent rise to maintain current service levels.
Gignac acknowledged the difficulty of keeping the police budget at zero percent due to wage expenses comprising a significant portion of the budget. The board highlighted a current budget deficit of $1.8 million, primarily attributed to labor expenses like overtime, as well as costs related to legal matters and WSIB.
The budget, having been endorsed by the board, is now pending review and approval by Windsor City Council.