Windsor Mayoral Candidate Fred Francis announced his latest round of promises for a more affordable city hall that encourages job creation and economic growth.
His campaign platform includes holding the line on taxes while keeping the full "city hall bill" low for residents and businesses.
"What we're going to do is look at the total bill that our residents are paying. Everything from our user fees and our community centres, to transit, to property taxes, utilities, hydro. We're going to put the total bill together and that's how we're going to be measured," said Francis.
Francis said he'd also like to make more building and planning services available online. To do that, he says he'll hire a Chief Innovation Officer to oversee digital improvements and manage artificial intelligence policies.
"Full permitting online, digital. That's what the Chief Innovation Officer will be charged of, what other services can we make fully digital, fully available online so you don't even have to walk into city hall, you don't have to fill out paperwork, you can do it on your phone," said Francis.
He says he'd also establish clear permit timelines so businesses and residents can plan and budget accordingly.
His plan for economic growth also includes investing in Transit Windsor to improve movement across the city.
"You can't have a jobs plan, economic development growth plan, without making improvements to Transit Windsor; it's impossible, and any plan that doesn't include it further investment to improve Transit Windsor is not a plan," said Francis.
His full platform on jobs, taxes and economic growth can be found on his website.
Other candidates for mayor include incumbent Drew Dilkens, Kat Pasquach, Benjamin Danyluk, Aaron Day, Dylon Graves, Tara Grayer, Nick Kolasky, Tristan Ty Morencie, Patrick Sutherland, and Louis Vautopic.
The election is Monday, October 26.
