Michael Prue’s Priorities
Michael is committed to:
- Negotiating the best deal for Amherstburg with police services.
- Working with the new owners of the Diageo plant to create their new business and to putting residents back to work.
- Keeping Amherstburg property taxes low.
- Upgrades to Concession roads or reserves, utilizing Town saving - see below.
What could the Town do if we were able to save $2.5- to $3-million?
There are several options:Reduce property taxes—each $1-million saved could lower taxes by about 3%.Invest in rural and concession road rehabilitation.Strengthen our reserves.A combination of all three, with Citizens having a say in how the savings can make our town better.
The first priority must be reducing expenses. After the City of Windsor ended Amherstburg’s police services contract without notice, Mayor Michael Prue spent over a year exploring alternatives.
We now have two options: restore the police force at significant cost or use the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). To achieve the $2.5- to $3-million savings the Town needs, the OPP is the best option, with per-capita costs currently about half of what Amherstburg spends.
Town.............Per Capita Costs.......Household Cost
Kingsville.................$141.............................$330
Lakeshore..................$141.............................$382
Tecumseh..................$154.............................$394
Essex..........................$160.............................$405
*Amherstburg............$304.............................$633
*Windsor Police
LaSalle’s police services cost $944 per household, Windsor’s $1,251, while Leamington’s OPP service costs $599, due to many factors not present in Amherstburg.
Restarting Amherstburg’s own force would cost significantly more. Michael is committed to securing the best value, and the OPP could save the Town and taxpayers up to half of the $6.5-million we currently spend.
Beginning in 2028, these savings would help minimize tax increases while maintaining key projects.
Our Current Financial Position
Amherstburg is in its strongest financial position since incorporation. Debt is low and declining by $2-million annually, reserves are at a 30-year high, and we no longer rely on lines of credit or interim financing. I am proud of this new standard.
Industrial Opportunities
Amherstburg has tremendous industrial and commercial potential. Michael is working with the new Diageo property owners, our economic development team and Invest Windsor/Essex to support a quick start-up. He has also secured provincial funding for the Howard Industrial Project and worked with Essex Power to provide the needed hydro.
Business Development is Key to the Town’s Self-sufficiency
We must also be cautious about Data (AI) centres due to their potential impact on electricity, water, farmland and green space. Amherstburg and the County have called for a full review before approving these developments. I will ensure safeguards are in place before any centres are considered.
Amherstburg can rebound from the Trump tariffs, strengthen its economy and keep taxes manageable, and Michael is committed to doing just that.
Proven Results
In 2022 Michael went door to door and listened to the dreams and visions for residents. He then published their wishes as his campaign promises to them. When Michael won the 2022 election - MICHAEL DELIVERED!
- Keep Taxes Low: Residents asked to keep tax rates low, and Amherstburg has done so. In 2026 in the first Mayor’s budget, Amherstburg had the lowest tax increase in Essex county.
- Maintain Fiscal Health: The debt is down and reserves are up. The Town never had to use our line of credit.
- Rebuild Duffy’s: It is opening to the public this summer.
- Maintain Prosperity: The town has attracted and helped to open 20 plus new businesses. in the past two years, it’s facilitated the building of many new homes and laid the groundwork for the Howard industrial site.
- Safer Streets: The town has instituted better surveillance, county road improvements, better engineered roads and where possible speed reductions.
- More Senior Amenities: The Senior Centre was reopened and refurbished. A new long-term care facility with 161 new long-term beds will be complete in 2027.
- Heritage District: After 20 years of requests, the Town now has a heritage district to protect heritage homes and buildings. The former high school was also designated, and is ready to rebuild.
- The Environment: Amherstburg has planted thousands of trees and protected green spaces.
