3.09% tax increase projected in 2026 draft budget

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The 2026 draft budget for the City of Stratford projects a 3.09 per cent tax increase – though that figure will likely change as deliberations get underway.

“In 2025, Stratford experienced some ups and downs economically,” the budget overview included in the budget package reads. “While inflation dropped for many goods, some prices did rise. The city is still navigating the effects of new tariffs and ongoing labour challenges but have made great strides in improving our city's asset management and planning with better data.

“Looking ahead to 2026, we're sticking with our multi-year budget, aiming for long-term stability through 2029 with more stable property tax increases,” the overview continues. “The draft budget aims to maintain current service levels while keeping community needs in mind, balancing everything with a solid financial plan.”

This is the first year that the budget is dictated by Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma. Due to the strong mayor powers recently endowed to the Festival City by the Province of Ontario, the mayor sets guidelines for senior staff to adhere to when creating individual departmental budgets, like all strong mayor cities in the province.

To that end, operating costs are set to rise by about $18 million next year, but with a $14 million “bump in revenue” the levy impact is projected to be only a $44 million levy impact. The capital plan is $56 million and the total net draft budget is $90,109,773.

All of that is before expansion initiatives, which have driven up the costs of previous budgets in the recent past with staff and service increases. This year however there is only one item, a “mini-x excavator” to the tune of $90,000, or a 0.09 per cent tax levy increase.

At a 3.09 per cent increase, the 2026 budget is the smallest increase since 2021. Last year, council passed a $86,038,828 budget that equaled a 5.46 per cent increase to property taxpayers.

For the average home, which is assessed by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) at $317,000, the proposed levy increase this year will raise property taxes by $167.

Budge deliberations begin on Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and continue on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2. More meetings will be scheduled as needed.

City council, meeting as the finance and labour relations committee, will deliberate and provide amendments, though because of strong mayor powers the mayor has the authority to veto any amendments they make – unless a two-thirds majority vote of council overrides the veto. Mayor Martin Ritsma has previously expressed that he would not use the veto power.

Prior to deliberations, the public is encouraged to provide their feedback on the budget. Three pop-up events are scheduled this November and an open house will be held on Nov. 3 at Stratford City Hall’s auditorium from 4-7 p.m.

To read the 2026 draft budget in its entirety, visit https://tinyurl.com/5yakz5a5