The finance departments of the County’s four townships are warning taxpayers there may be some difficult days ahead, with increasing municipal costs again expected to strain local-level budgets next year.
Treasury staff in Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills confirmed preliminary 2027 budget discussions have already started internally, with senior officials compiling lists of wants and needs for their departments.
Algonquin Highlands communications coordinator, Chad Ingram, told The Highlander department heads will discuss priorities with the incoming council at its inaugural meeting Nov. 19.
New treasurer, Sarah Hutson, is leading her first budget following the retirement of Jean Hughes, with Ingram noting there would be a “heightened separation” of operating and capital funds and the introduction of a return-on-investment calculator.
Ingram said the township is aiming to have its budget approved by the end of February.
“Like all municipalities throughout the County and beyond, Algonquin Highlands faces ever-increasing costs, while striving to maintain high-quality service delivery and sustainable asset management – all while keeping property tax increases at a palatable level for residents,” Ingram said. “It’s a balancing act that, ultimately, falls to those around the council table.”
Liz Danielsen, who won a second mayoral term in last month’s municipal election, said there will be some significant belt-tightening.
“We’ve all got challenges with an 11 per cent increase in policing costs and some anticipated increases in social housing – a lot of those are uncontrollable on our end,” Danielsen sad. “I think we’re all going to do our level best to keep any increase to as much of a minimum as possible.”
After seeing tax hikes come in around five per cent in recent years, Danielsen noted, “if we could land there again, I’d be happy.”
Last month, Dysart et al treasurer, Brayden Robinson, noted a considerable reduction in planning department revenues and assessment growth in 2026 could hit the 2027 budget hard. cornergallery.ca 123 Maple Ave Haliburton Come and discover art that was made on the edge. Or pushed right over it
“We haven’t had much this year in the way of growth at all, it’s about a quarter of what it’s been over the past few years, so you will see that impact the budget next year,” Robinson said.
Incoming mayor, Greg Bishop, said ratepayers should be prepared for a higher tax increase. “There’s no question in my mind that we deferred a number of things over the years that are catching up with us. That, combined with sinking a pretty good chunk of money into the Country Road 21 project, is going to put us offside this year for sure,” Bishop said.
He noted his biggest priorities for investment are roads, bridges and the sewer treatment plant. Bishop also wants to “close the loop” on the deal that would see Extendicare build a new facility on the township’s CR21 property.
Highlands East CAO and treasurer, Brittany McCaw, said there are several factors placing upward pressure on municipal budgets, including inflationary impacts on goods, services and contracted work, as well as increasing infrastructure renewal and replacement requirements.
She’s also watching for changes to provincial legislation and regulations impacting utility and insurance costs and asset management requirements.
“Staff will continue refining budget estimates over the coming months and will work with council to balance service delivery, infrastructure needs and financial sustainability,” she said.
Beginning his sixth term, mayor Dave Burton said while he’s always tried to keep annual tax increases under five per cent, he wasn’t sure if that would be possible this go around.
“We’re being asked to do more with less from the province… it seems like our funding is getting cut in some places, which makes it hard to juggle things,” he said.
Minden Hills’ director of finance and treasurer, Zach Drinkwalter, said the township is facing pressures across nearly all areas of its operations.
“Rising costs associated with service delivery, infrastructure maintenance and capital investments present ongoing challenges,” he said.
Mayor-elect Tammy McKelvey wants to see the township get as close to a zero per cent increase operationally as it can so that more funds can be directed to capital projects.
“We have not been putting enough money in the levy for capital and we’re falling behind on our asset management plan,” McKelvey said.
Despite that, she said her primary focus is keeping any tax increase to a minimum.
“We really need to recognize the public is hurting right now. All their costs of operation are going up as well. We can’t make this a budget that’s going to put people over the edge,” McKelvey said.
