Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has proposed a plan to cut the mayoral salary by $50,000 and redistribute the funds to city councillors, aiming to bring their compensation closer to the provincial average. The proposal, announced this week, would see each of Windsor's 10 councillors receive an additional $5,000 annually — a raise of roughly nine per cent.
Current Compensation Disparity
According to a city staff report, Windsor's mayor currently earns $228,843, including taxable benefits, making him one of the highest-paid mayors in Ontario. That figure is 25 per cent higher than the average for mayors in similarly sized municipalities. In contrast, city councillors are paid $54,723, nearly 21 per cent less than the average for comparable cities.
Dilkens said the pay cut would align the mayor's salary more closely with other Ontario mayors and address the financial pressures faced by councillors. "This is just me staying consistent with what I see are pressure points for councillors," he stated.
Councillor Workload and Mileage Concerns
Dilkens, who served as a councillor for eight years, highlighted the demanding nature of the role. Councillors "drive all day" to meet residents and attend board and committee meetings, some in the county, yet they are not allowed to claim mileage expenses. "I see how folks like (Ward 3 Coun.) Renaldo (Agostino) work, and I see (Ward 6 Coun.) Jo-Anne (Gignac) driving around everywhere," he said. "They, like so many others, are feeling the effects of high gasoline prices."
The mayor emphasized that the proposed change would be "net neutral to the levy," meaning it would not increase the tax burden on residents, while providing councillors with more compensation to cover their expenses.
Political Implications and Election Context
When asked if the proposal was linked to his potential re-election bid this fall, Dilkens denied any connection. "No. Not at all," he said. He has not yet announced whether he will seek another term in the October municipal election.
The city last reviewed council compensation in 2021-2022 through an independent citizen committee. At that time, council approved a $5,000 increase for councillors but found no need for a mayoral raise. Windsor's mayor and councillors receive annual salary increases tied to raises for non-union managerial staff.
Next Steps
City council is scheduled to discuss Dilkens' proposal during a regular meeting on Monday. The decision on compensation will apply to the next council, as per longstanding practice: "Every council sets the compensation for the next council," Dilkens noted.
The municipal election is set for Oct. 26. Candidates for city council must file nomination papers by 2 p.m. on Aug. 21. More information is available at windsorelections.ca.
