First-time homeowners concerned council will up taxes

By Madeline Mazak

A young couple is concerned property taxes in Windsor may see another increase as council members set out to begin deliberations over the 2019 budget.

Some members of Windsor city council have already expressed support for a property tax increase. Windsor has previously seen a rise in property taxes under Mayor Drew Dilkens in January 2017. The 1.73 per cent jump brought an eight-year-streak free of increases to an abrupt halt.

First-time homeowners Brian Filipowitz, 25, and Joanie Leblanc, 22, said higher property taxes would have made them reconsider their decision to purchase a home in Windsor. The couple recently received the keys to their new east Windsor home. They said affordable taxes made Windsor an attractive city to purchase their first home.

“It would definitely affect my decision if the taxes were going up by a substantial amount,” said Filipowitz. “I would consider renting instead of buying.”

Leblanc said purchasing a house in Windsor is cheaper than renting, which was a deciding factor in her decision to buy.

“The cost of renting in the area I was looking for was more expensive than a mortgage,” she Leblanc. “I also felt that money towards an apartment was a waste when I could put money toward a house we both own.”

The couple said low property taxes in Windsor draw on young people from other cities in Ontario, where purchasing a home is not so budget-friendly.

“It allows younger people to own their own house, as well as save money,” said Filipowitz. “Other cities don’t allow that. I don’t think as many people would be coming to Windsor if the taxes were substantially higher.”

The first-time homeowners said they pay $1,900 in property taxes annually. They said their budget will be tighter to cope with expenses if Windsor sees another property tax increase.

In 2017, Dilkens said the increase in property taxes was the only sustainable option to avoid cutbacks to city services and programs.

As deliberations at city council over the 2019 budget continue, it remains unclear whether Windsor will see an increase in property taxes yet again.