The County of Haliburton has been asked to contribute an estimated 27 per cent more for human services managed on its behalf by the City of Kawartha Lakes.
In 2025, the County share was $2,650,528 of a $13,338,555 budget. CKL is asking for $3,362,926 for 2026 to put towards a projected $16,406,572 budget. That’s a $712,398 increase in one year.
City of Kawartha Lakes CAO Ron Taylor said the increase was due in part to inflationary pressures, and a two per cent capital infrastructure levy. He added they are looking to hire approximately five more people for human services. Another issue is the failure of the provincial government to provide any funding increases year over year, CKL staff noted.
It means the County is being asked for more money for administration, Ontario Works, early learning and childcare, housing, homelessness, and the KLH Housing Corporation.
Taylor said they are still looking at potentially trimming operating costs and hope to have the budget passed by CKL in late November, trying to “balance good service, but at the same time, taxpayer affordability and sustainability.”
CKL staff added they would be looking to refine their agreement with the County for 2027.
Taylor said, “that is an initiative that we need to do collectively. If you are looking at ways to influence your investment overall in this broad program, that’s the formulas, that’s the agreement that you need to focus on over 2026 to be able to then influence future contributions and future budgets.”
CKL staff also said continued advocacy over provincial government downloading is key, through larger organizations, such as the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, which would have more punch than the County and CKL.
Following the presentation, coun. Bob Carter said an increase of $750,000 is a three to three-and-a-half per cent tax increase for the County’s constituents. He noted CKL was looking at a $2.4 million jump.
“What’s the feeling at CKL about being able to sustain these numbers?” He said they did not know what provincial government grants for 2026 were yet, but does not anticipate extra money.
“How do we continue to sustain this? We still have all those things, like roads, ambulances, other departments we have to maintain and support.”
Coun. Lisa Schell added she fears middle class people paying increases such as this 27 per cent will get to a point where they might not be able to afford their own homes, putting more pressure on human services.
Taylor said the ask equates to nearly a two per cent increase for CKL, which is “substantive.” He noted the County’s $700,000 was largely an investment in people to deliver the programming. However, “that investment should start to flat line,” he said.
CKL staff added with no increases in provincial funding, their hands are tied, hence the need for advocacy.
Coun. Cec Ryall said in future he would also like information on the cost of not doing the services, saying “people who are going to end up taking the hit are people we all represent.”
