`Strong mayor' powers directed at downtown
Dilkens uses authority given by province to add $3.2 million to the city's budget
On Tuesday, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens announced new initiatives to revitalize downtown. To pay for it, he's re-opening the city's recently approved 2024 operating budget and adding $3.2 million in new spending.
The move, which would see municipal property taxes rise another 0.7 per cent — to 4.61 per cent — is allowed under strong mayor legislation. The proposal must still go before city council, but a simple majority in opposition is no longer enough to defeat it.
Here's what you need to know about strong mayor powers:
WHAT ARE STRONG MAYOR POWERS?
The Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 became law on Sept. 8, 2022.
These changes to the Municipal Act and other existing legislation introduced by the Ford government give some Ontario mayors new powers and duties, including the authority to make decisions that once required support from the council majority.
Strong mayors can propose municipal budgets, veto certain bylaws, appoint the city's chief administrative officer, hire and fire certain department heads, reorganize departments, create council committees, appoint chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of council committees, and bring forward matters for council consideration.
WHEN DID DILKENS RECEIVE STRONG MAYOR POWERS?
The mayors of Toronto and Ottawa were the first to receive strong mayor powers in the fall of 2022. The powers were then expanded through legislation to mayors of 26 more municipalities, Dilkens included, as of July 1, 2023.
In August 2023, Ford's Progressive Conservative government further expanded strong mayor powers to 21 more municipalities.
CAN COUNCIL STOP A STRONG MAYOR DECISION?
Council retains the ability to override the mayor, but only with a two-thirds majority vote. In Windsor's case, that would require eight of the 11 council members to agree (the mayor also has a vote).
HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN STRONG MAYOR POWERS ARE BEING USED?
Transparency is mandated. Whenever the head of council uses strong mayor powers, they are required to provide written documentation to the municipal clerk and members of council by the next business day. They must also make the written document available to the public.
When Dilkens uses strong mayor powers, a “mayoral decision” document is shared on the City of
Windsor website.
HOW HAS DILKENS USED STRONG MAYOR POWERS?
His first significant use of the powers came in November 2023, when he fired city engineer Chris Nepszy and city solicitor Shelby Askin Hager, both members of Windsor's corporate leadership team.
Part of his order to dismiss Askin Hager included a mayoral decision to undertake “organizational restructuring,” which saw the city solicitor position removed from the corporate leadership team. Now, the city solicitor answers to a commissioner of corporate services.
Subsequently, Dilkens issued an order to appoint Wira Vendrasco as acting city solicitor and Dana Paladino as acting commissioner of corporate services.
Another mayoral decision came in January when Dilkens tabled the 2024 budget. Council reviewed the budget and passed amendments, none of which Dilkens vetoed.
Several mayoral decisions have been posted to confirm the hiring of various city managers.
A mayoral decision is also published on the day of every city council meeting to state whether or not Dilkens vetoed any bylaws. So far, he has not vetoed any bylaws passed at council meetings.
When he announced plans to revitalize Windsor's downtown, Dilkens used strong mayor powers to table a proposed budget amendment. The proposal will see Windsor's operating budget increase by roughly $3.2 million to fund downtown improvements. The budget increase will require a further 0.7 per cent property tax hike.
Council has an opportunity to amend the mayor's proposal, though Dilkens can veto council amendments. Council can override any mayoral veto with a twothirds vote.
When Dilkens uses strong mayor powers, a “mayoral decision” document is shared on the City of Windsor website.