Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens wants to hold the line on taxes, if elected for a second term.
Dilkens announced his financial policy Friday which includes reducing the city debt from the current $77.9-million to $46.2-million by 2022.
He says it is about doing more with less.
"Keeping as much money in the pockets of our residents as possible and certainly it is all about allowing our residents to choose how to spend their hard earned dollars, this is my track record and I'm proud of this track record," says Dilkens.
The incumbent mayor points out he was able to freeze taxes in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 and 2018, tax increases totalled 2.4%, the lowest of Ontario cities.
Dilkens says holding the line on taxes means keeping the tax rate below inflation.
"I was very clear in the last election that we would do zero tax increase for 2015," says Dilkens. We ended up doing it for 2015 and 2016 and then I said we will hold the line thereafter, and when I look at holding the line, it is making sure that we are looking at the rate of inflation and trying to keep our tax rate below the rate of inflation."
He says he will also continue to hold the line on costs at Enwin emphasizing that only 26% of the bill stays in Windsor. He says the price of electricity has increased because of provincial policies, not local ones.
Dilkens then went on the attack against his opponent Matt Marchand, who was working in the mayor's office when the Candarel building was built, which was half the size it was supposed to be, yet cost twice as much.
Marchand fired back, telling AM800 News Dilkens needs to take a look at what's been done under his administration.
"According to Mr. Dilkens I have no experience to run for mayor but now I'm the most important person in the city from 1992 to 2003 as former assistant to Mayor Mike Hurst," says Marchand. "Drew's record in terms of needing an auditor general to go through the Aquatic Centre and all those other legacy projects, that $1-million to refurbish a street car."
Marchand also says holding the "status quo" on taxes will have Windsor falling behind.
"Last year he said a tax-freeze was too painful, this year it's okay? We have to invest, we have flooded basements, we have roads, we have sewers, we have downtown incidents that need to be dealt with and these numbers just don't add up," he says. "This is exactly why we need an auditor general appointed for transparency and accountability."
While he has yet to release his financial platform, Marchand says it will be coming soon.
Frank Dyck, Tom Hensel and Ernie Lamont are also running for mayor of Windsor in the October 22nd municipal election.