Fiscal 2025/26 Budget Summary

Budget Highlights

• $69.8m Operating Budget and $48.1m Capital and Project Budget.
• Tax rates remain at their current levels to provide ratepayer stability while continuing to provide efficient and effective services to residents.
• The Personal Property Tax Reduction amount for households with a total income below $47,000 have increased. Eligible applicants will now receive up to $580 in ratepayer relief.
• More than $4.1 million has been earmarked for grant programs and funding to community groups that will benefit a wide range of organizations and individuals, including $224,560 in Funding to External Service Providers making unique services available to residents of the Municipality. A new funding stream to support village infrastructure has also been introduced in this budget year.
• An enhanced Capital Reserve contribution of $515,000 will support long-term asset management plans and address the capital reserve deficit.
• An additional Operating Reserve contribution of $625,000 is intended to help offset unknown future expenditures. This contribution will also provide flexibility for the municipality to use these funds to support a wide variety of future initiatives.
• Assessment growth of 1.5% (CAP eligible properties), 5.5% (new housing construction, major renovations, etc.), enabled the Municipality to manage inflationary pressures and significant increases to mandatory provincial payments for education and policing services (increases of $1,477,700 and $591,200 respectively).
• The budget allows for the creation of 6.0 new staffing positions to support development growth, increased demands for service, long-term municipal plans and the strategic priorities set by Municipal Council.
• Overall funding to fire departments providing service to the Municipality is increasing by 3.3% this fiscal year (from $2,829,650 to $2,924,050).
• The Capital & Project Budget is the most robust budget approved to date and will fund 45 projects totalling $48.1m. The budget is centred on increased investment in infrastructure that is essential for the ongoing delivery of municipal services, with a strong focus on the replacement of critical end-of-life assets. Projects for the upcoming year also involve the continuation of initiatives that promote the key strategic priorities of the Municipality.

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