​Bruce County draft 2026 budget includes almost six-per-cent increase in tax rate

Bruce County council spent Thursday (Oct. 9) discussing a draft of the 2026 capital and operating budget, which includes a 5.97-per-cent levy (tax) increase.

This step in the budget process provides the opportunity to prioritize alignment to strategic organizational goals, realizing the vision set out in the 2023-2026 Bruce County Strategic Plan, the Bruce County Saugeen Anishnaabek Reconciliation Pathway and Action Plan, and other council-endorsed initiatives.

With 2026 being the final year of the current council’s term, as well as the strategic plan cycle, the focus is on completing remaining priorities. Completion of these strategic goals strengthens the foundation which the next council and strategic plan will build on.

As municipalities across the province work through their budgets, common challenges are arising. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities shows that only eight cents of every tax dollar goes to municipalities. The remainder goes to provincial and federal governments. Despite this limited share, municipalities are tasked with maintaining much of the infrastructure and delivering essential services that residents rely on daily.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s call for a new funding model is part of its social and economic prosperity review. The initial work indicates that municipalities are subsidizing areas of provincial responsibility. As an example, in 2024, Bruce County provided more than $39-million in additional funds beyond the province’s contribution, for housing, health services, and social services programs.

Even with these pressures, the draft 2026 budget proposes a moderate levy increase with the focus remaining on key strategic initiatives, including:
 

• Working with the 2026 International Plowing Match organizational committee to ensure a safe event which highlights the county’s features.
• Implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning software for the modernization of county processes and resource management.
• Additional training for long-term-care for better staff support and resident care improvements.
• Collaboration with other local organizations and municipalities to undertake a comprehensive study on local transit service levels and potential route needs.
• Supporting the most vulnerable in the community through the implementation of initiatives outlined in the Bruce County Housing Action Plan.
• Developing an Age-Friendly Community Framework and Action Plan to ensure all are welcome in Bruce County.

The county’s Asset Management Plan is an important element of the draft budget. A 2.5-per-cent investment in the maintenance of county infrastructure, including roads, bridges, facilities, etc., ensures the long-term sustainability of these assets.

The draft budget includes a 5.97-per-cent levy (tax) increase which is made up of two parts:
 

• 3.61 per cent for maintaining the delivery of services and infrastructure as they exist today.
• 2.36 per cent is for new initiatives or assets outlined in the strategic plan.

Council will continue its review, discussion, and direction into November, with anticipated approval and adoption in December.

“Staff has produced a draft budget that includes several strategic investments in the county’s core infrastructure and services,” said warden Luke Charbonneau. “Council will discuss the budget over the coming weeks to ensure that it will build, maintain and improve our county in a way that is fiscally-responsible for taxpayers."

See the draft 2026 budget and watch the recording of council’s Oct. 9, meeting at www.brucecounty.on.ca/government/agendas-and-minutes.