Douro-Dummer council got their first look at the 2026 budget last Thursday as there was a special meeting where staff presented the details.
Managers from each department appeared before council to explain their portion of the budget and answer any questions council had.
CAO Todd Davis commented that the municipality was getting an early start on the budget as 2026 is a municipal election year.
Davis said that he believes the proposed budget fits well within the principles of the township’s strategic plan which is based on three pillars.
The pillars include;
1. Service Modernization and Innovation
2. Business Attraction, Expansion, and Retention
3. Infrastructure Renewal
The first draft of the 2026 budget proposes a 4.8 per cent increase to the tax rate.
This represents a $59.08 annual change which would work out to an increase of $4.92 per month on a median property valued at $256,000
Davis told council that there were three major projects that affected the budget and those projects are the joint Fire/Public Works building that is scheduled to break ground next year ($12 million). Two new fire trucks that are expected to be delivered within the fiscal year ($1 million) and repairs to the Douro arena floor ($1.9 million).
Davis explained to council that there are areas of the budget in which the municipality has control and there are some areas that are out of their hands.
One example was the Police Services. The province has capped the OPP increase at 11 per cent, but an increase of this magnitude would see a 1.5 per cent increase to the township levy.
Davis said that the areas that the township does have control will see an increase of 1.9 per cent and the areas where they don’t have control could rise 2.9 per cent
The proposed operating budget will increase from $4,233,470 to $4,441,694 which is a change of $208,224. This constitutes a 2.8 per cent increase to the levy.
Capital Budget is requesting an increase of $10,000 over 2025 which will be a 0.1 per cent increase to the levy. The funds are to keep the tree planting program operating. The new total will be $1,319,973.
The budget also shows -1.1 per cent assessment growth in 2025 which leaves a 1.9 per cent increase across township departments.
A public meeting was held on Tuesday evening prior to the regular council meeting in the chambers where CAO Davis presented the first draft of the budget.
There were no written comments or anyone on Zoom asking questions, however there were ratepayers in the gallery who had questions and concerns.
Peter Leahy stated that times are difficult and asked if council had given any consideration to holding the tax increase to zero even for a year.
Deputy mayor Harold Nelson responded by saying this was impossible as much of the budget goes towards mandated services that require minimum standards and these are dictated by the province.
Nelson pointed out that the portion of the budget of which council has control only went up 1.9 per cent in the first draft.
The budget process continues with an open house at the Town Hall in Warsaw on Thursday, Oct. 13 followed by the presentation of the second draft on November18. The final draft and hopeful passing is scheduled for Dec. 16.
