Each Ward had a budget in 2006 of $30,000.00 dollars, although they were allowed to carry over any unspent funds from previous years. No Ward spent only the $30,000.00 budgeted for 2006 and the lowest percentage spent during the July to December period was 69.17% in Ward Two.
Lowest spending Ward was Ward One at $31,000.00 dollars, although it should be noted that $30,000.00 dollars of this amount represents only Councillor Zuk's portion of the fund. Top spending Ward goes to Ward Five at $117,776.00 dollars, followed by Ward Four at $78,436.00 dollars.
Looking at the money spent in each ward, especially in the months leading up to the election, are the contests in Windsor really a fair race subject to the same rules? While campaign spending is regulated by the Municipal Act and subject to strict spending limits, individual Ward spending of taxpayer dollars is not covered.
Hopefully future Council candidates will cast a critical eye on Ward Fund spending when contemplating whether or not to run for a Council seat. At the very least, Ward Fund spending should be reported on a monthly basis in an election year. Ultimately, the existence and use of these funds should be eliminated in favour of an open and accountable process available to all groups in Windsor. I am continuing my research into whether or not similar funds are used in other municipalities and what rules govern their use.
| Ward One | ||
| Total Spending 2006 | $31,000.00 | |
| Spending Jul - Dec | $31,000.00 | |
| % spent Jul - Dec | 100.00% | |
| Note: $30,000 of the funds spent are noted | ||
| as coming from Councillor Zuk's portion of the fund | ||
| One incumbent, one open seat | ||
| Result: one new councillor | ||
| Ward Two | ||
| Total Spending 2006 | $51,801.00 | |
| Spending Jul - Dec | $35,832.00 | |
| % spent Jul - Dec | 69.17% | |
| Two incumbents | ||
| Result: both incumbents re-elected | ||
| Ward Three | ||
| Total Spending 2006 | $51,476.00 | |
| Spending Jul - Dec | $41,076.00 | |
| % spent Jul - Dec | 79.80% | |
| Two incumbents | ||
| Result: both incumbents re-elected | ||
| Ward Four | ||
| Total Spending 2006 | $83,716.00 | |
| Spending Jul - Dec | $78,436.00 | |
| % spent Jul - Dec | 93.69% | |
| Two incumbents | ||
| Results: one incumbent, one new councillor | ||
| Ward Five | ||
| Total Spending 2006 | $126,476.00 | |
| Spending Jul - Dec | $117,776.00 | |
| % spent Jul - Dec | 93.12% | |
| One incumbent, one open seat | ||
| Result: one new councillor |
