Saugeen Shores council has approved its 2026 budget.
It will have a tax rate increase of about 3 per cent, or roughly $132 per average household.
At its meeting on December 8th, Saugeen Shores Council voted to amend the 2026 budget, transferring $470,000 from the tax stabilization reserve to reduce the proposed tax increase from 2.2 per cent to to 0.6 per cent, excluding police.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau says in a statement, “Costs are rising for the Town, just as they are for residents and local businesses,” adding, “To help in the year ahead, Council has chosen to draw from our Tax Stabilization Reserve to reduce the municipal tax increase. This provides temporary relief from higher costs while we continue to invest responsibly in core services and infrastructure– building a community that makes life better for everyone.”
A release from the Town says, “This adjustment reflects Council’s recognition of the financial pressures facing residents and aims to provide temporary relief from rising everyday expenses.”
The amended budget also includes a $19 reduction to the waste management fixed fee and the planned annual increase to the future infrastructure special levy of $49 for the average household.
The Town says highlights in this year’s budget include expanding housing options through incentive programs and partnerships, implementing recommendations from a municipal healthcare review to strengthen local healthcare access, supporting Bruce Power’s Bruce C Impact Assessment and preparing for growth related to new nuclear build opportunities. Advancing climate action through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Partners for Climate Protection program and the 10,000 Tree Initiative.
There will also be a municipal election in 2026.
The Town says the business plan and budget will be deemed adopted on December 12, thirty days after it was introduced, under Ontario’s Strong Mayor Powers legislation. A by-law to implement the tax rates will be brought to the January 5, 2026 Council meeting.