For the first time in Haliburton County history, a mayor has prepared a township budget, along with staff, under the Strong Mayors act.
The Minden Hills draft budget was tabled at a Dec. 15 special council meeting.
Mayor Bob Carter said it was his “privilege” to present the proposed budget, adding, “2026 will be a challenging year for Minden Hills. Municipal government must sustain essential programs and services and rebuild aging infrastructure whilst ensuring that our tax rates remain affordable for our citizens.”
He noted the township will receive “welcome” additional funding from the province in 2026, but this is offset by an 11 per cent increase in OPP costs, “and costs continue to rise on all fronts.”
Facing these challenges, Carter said staff had worked “diligently” to review and examine expenditures and service levels in every department – coming up with a proposed 3.95 per cent tax increase for 2026. They are also looking at a two per cent increase for water, and three per cent, for wastewater.
“This increase includes: enhanced service levels; a robust capital expenditure program focusing on infrastructure; a new community centre in Lochlin; 1.5 per cent put aside for future capital needs and maintaining healthy reserves to ensure fiscal sustainability. This budget strikes a balance between investment for now and the future, fiscal responsibility and affordability for the people of Minden Hills,” the top elected official said.
The total tax-supported budget is $12.32 million – with a 4.95 per cent municipal levy increase, comprising 2.77 per cent for municipal services; 0.36 per cent for dedicated capital investment; and 1.82 per cent for OPP costs.
It represents a residential property tax increase of $18.46 per $100,000 of assessment. For commercial properties, the jump is $27.37 per $100,000 of assessment.
No members of the public attended the meeting in-person or provided written comments, prompting Coun. Tammy McKelvey to ask that in future, “could we have the public participation later on in the process Let’s face it; it’s 10 days ‘till Christmas. We’re all a little bit busy. They don’t have their heads around next year’s tax bill at this point in time.”
Sweeping new powers for mayor
Some of the suggested spends include a new bulldozer, heavy duty pick-up truck, and half-ton pick-up truck; adding 48 niches to the columbarium at 12 Mile Cemetery; new lighting for the Minden Riverwalk; a new foot bridge for Snowdon Park; a new Lochlin Hall building; fixing up downtown sidewalks and installing a crosswalk in the village core; implementing an organic recycling program; and finishing the Scotch Line transfer station. Under roads, parts of Bethel, Blairhampton, Nichols, Salerno Lake, Irondale, Sedgwick Road East and West, and Francis will receive road resurfacing/double surface treatment.
In the proposed budget summary, staff and Carter said, “within the proposed 3.95 per cent overall tax rate increase (4.95 per cent levy increase), we have the foundation for a well composed municipal budget. There are no service level cuts. In fact, there are proposed service level enhancements with the addition of a resource in public works roads department (for better winter maintenance and seasonal road repairs) and in the building department (for in-house septic inspection program).
Council was not enamoured with the new process that unfolded during a nearly nine hour meeting this past Monday. McKelvey asked if Carter was sure he could not waive the requirement for a strong mayors budget. Deputy mayor Lisa Schell said it was the most difficult budget process she had experienced in her 19 years on council.
Under the Strong Mayors act, the mayor is responsible for preparing and proposing a budget to council by Feb. 1 of each year. If not, councll shall prepare and adopt a budget. CAO Cynthia Fletcher said staff would summarize and circulate changes made at Monday’s meeting. When they meet again, Jan. 6, she said council could officially pass, by resolution, any formal amendments.
