Members of city council get their first look at the 2026 draft budget on Monday, and first impressions are somewhat concerning.

However, most enlightening are the numerous cautionary notes documented by Adam Boylan, Director of Financial Services.

Although there is a long way to go before we have finalized operating and capital budgets, the preliminary hike to the municipal property tax rate is in the six per cent range.

The 2026 Draft Budget proposes almost $79.5 million in tax-related spending, an increase from the city’s 2025 levy of just under $73 million.

This represents a proposed municipal levy increase of approximately 8.9 per cent.

Assessment growth for 2026 is estimated at 2.8 per cent. When combined with the levy requirement, this results in an estimated municipal tax rate increase of just over six per cent.