Candidates speak out on budget expectations

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

As part of its coverage leading up to October’s municipal election, the Tillsonburg Post talked to the mayoral and councillor candidates about their thoughts on the 2027 budget.

This is the first week of ongoing coverage talking about the issues that are important to people of Tillsonburg when they cast their votes next month. All candidates were e-mailed questions, which they responded to, within word limits.

If there are issues you would like tackled here in coming weeks, please share your ideas about municipal issues – not provincial or federal - at jeff@granthaven.com

As background, under provincial Strong Mayor’s legislation many municipalities across the province were given Strong Mayor’s powers. This legislation mandates that the mayor sets the budget, with assistance from staff. Council is then given opportunities to amend the budget after the proposed document is shared with them. In 2026, council approved the budget with no amendment to what was proposed by Mayor Deb Gilvesy.

The questions submitted to the mayor candidates were:

1) One of the tasks of the successful mayoral candidate shortly after being elected will be to work on the budget. What will your goal be for the 2027 budget, including the tax rate increase?

Candidate responses, listed alphabetically, were:

Deb Gilvesy: Having led Tillsonburg through its first Strong Mayor budget process in 2026, my goal is to once again deliver a responsible budget that keeps the tax increase below inflation. Last year demonstrated that this can be achieved while maintaining essential services and providing value for taxpayers.

In 2027, pressures include OPP costs, higher fuel prices, rising paving and construction costs, making strong fiscal and experienced leadership even more important.

Adhering to the provincially mandated Asset Management Plan is essential. This plan details future spending repair and replacement requirements. It requires discipline to prioritize infrastructure based on condition, risk and need, rather than political pressure. Deferring necessary maintenance or replacement may reduce costs today, but ultimately leads to more expensive repairs and greater financial pressure on future taxpayers.

My goal is to identify efficiencies, prioritize essential services, manage costs carefully, and deliver the best possible value for every tax dollar.

Kelly Spencer: My goal will be a responsible, sustainable budget that protects taxpayers while investing in Tillsonburg’s future. Keeping the Tillsonburg portion of taxation at the cost-of-living increase, or less, will be my priority. I will not support an arbitrary tax increase; we need to examine spending, find efficiencies and ensure taxpayers receive value for every dollar.

Where investment is needed, I will look for creative ways to make it happen without unnecessary pressure on taxpayers. For example, I will create a pilot project for a downtown security officer, funded through reserves, while working with staff on possible grant funding. It’s time we invest in our town and businesses, while addressing homelessness, mental health and addiction.

I would also prioritize physician recruitment, strategic commercial and industrial land purchases, infrastructure, exploring opportunities to restore intercity transit, and additional green space and parkland while protecting what we have.

2) If elected mayor, would you involve all of council in the budget, and if so, how?

Deb Gilvesy: During the 2026 budget process, before meeting with staff, I reached out to every member of council to seek their priorities and desired tax rate. Unfortunately, only three responded.

Under Strong Mayor legislation, the mayor cannot delegate the budget back to council. However, council remains an important part of a transparent and accountable process. Following extensive discussions and direction to staff, I reviewed the budget with the CAO and finance team and identified a further $1.4 million in reductions. These changes were presented to council, which had the authority to propose amendments, but chose not to amend the 2026 budget.

Kelly Spencer: Absolutely. The community elects six council members and a mayor. I honour that democratic process and value the input of those elected by the electors. Council input is democratic and essential. Positive leadership is my experience, and bringing the voice of council together is what is required. A mayor should lead, facilitate and build consensus, not make decisions in isolation.

I would involve every member of council early in the budget process, before decisions are essentially made. Council should have meaningful opportunities to question assumptions, understand financial implications and suggest alternatives, with staff providing the facts and professional recommendations needed for informed decisions.

Council candidates were asked: What would you like to see in the 2026 budget, including the target rate for a tax increase?

Candidate responses, listed alphabetically, were:

Dave Beres: When the 2027 budget is presented, I'll support expanding physician recruitment, adding more recreation and acquiring additional industrial lands.

This year my property tax increased 2.4 per cent while the Canadian Consumer Price Index from September to August increased 2.9%.

My focus is keeping the residential tax increase within inflation and depend on future growth to pay for itself. This will keep services untouched while maintaining infrastructure. If we don't support the inflation levels, sacrifices have to be. Keep in mind, 56 per cent of your tax bill is controlled by the town. The balance goes to Oxford County and Education.

Clayton Curtis: No response.

Katherine Englander: For the 2027 budget, I would like to see a disciplined, transparent approach that protects essential services while respecting every taxpayer dollar. My priorities would be infrastructure, roads, water and wastewater, parks and recreation, community well-being, and economic development. I would expect the town to identify efficiencies and pursue additional revenue opportunities before increasing taxes.

My target would be a tax increase of no more than 3 per cent, wherever reasonably achievable. I recognize some costs are outside council’s control, but anything above 3 per cent should be clearly justified. Three per cent should be a target, not a starting point.

Ron Gasparetto: I’d like to see a 2027 budget that respects taxpayers while investing in the services and infrastructure our community needs. Ideally, I’d keep the tax increase at or below 3 per cent, wherever possible. However, we shouldn’t choose an arbitrary number if it means cutting essential services or delaying necessary infrastructure. Priorities should include maintaining roads, infrastructure, and other critical assets. Growth should pay for growth, rather than placing added pressure on existing taxpayers. We should also seek efficiencies, protect core services, support our downtown and local economy, and be transparent about spending. Careful planning today can help avoid higher costs tomorrow.

John Gilvesy: The quick answer might be a target around the rate of inflation. Before deciding, I would seek recommendations from heads of departments and committees. I would ask that attention be put to finding efficiencies, including reduction of duplication and bureaucracy. My preference is that the mayor would work with council to take advantage of the diversity of experiences. Perhaps reallocation of budgets will be necessary to balance affordability against emerging service requirements, risks, economic development, and infrastructure investments. In addition, I would favour additional support for the county and service organizations to train and find employment for our homeless residents.

Lindsey Mejaski: I would like to see a 0 per cent tax increase in the 2027 budget. Property taxes have increased substantially in recent years, and I believe we need to put a stop to that trend. With the rising cost of groceries, housing, utilities and everyday expenses, residents need a break. A 0 per cent increase means we need to take a serious look at spending, find efficiencies, and identify areas where costs can be reduced without compromising essential services. I would prioritize policing and emergency services, as keeping our community safe should be a top priority. We need to be responsible with taxpayers’ money.

Stephen Molnar: The focus should be concentrated on our Community Strategic Initiatives. This plan was created with input from all stakeholders of Tillsonburg and includes the priorities that council is charged to implement.

Council, as a whole, with input from an engaged community, should utilize the multitude of financial tools to ensure a responsible and sustainable future.

Initiatives;

- Responsible infrastructure investments

- Additional health care partnerships

- Community safety initiatives

We need to ensure balanced taxation is reflected in overall value. (Average taxation increase 2019-2023 – 1.8 per cent / 2023-2026 – 4.04 per cent). With an inclusive focus, we can achieve a responsible requirement from taxation.

Felix Nzemeka: I would like to see a responsible 2027 budget with a target of a 0 per cent municipal tax increase, while protecting essential services and investing wisely in our community.

1: A healthy community by supporting healthcare access, seniors, and recreation. Plan the kind of growth Tillsonburg can support and protect our green spaces for our ecosystem.

2: A safe and caring community through public safety, emergency services, and family-friendly neighbourhoods. Responsible residential development and enforcement bylaws. Targeted housing solutions for single-parent families.

3: A strong economy by supporting local businesses, attracting investment, growing agriculture, and creating jobs. Ask questions about land and municipal assets.

Chris Parker: I would like to see the 2027 budget continue to prioritize municipal services, infrastructure renewal, roads, parks, recreation, and public safety while maintaining responsible fiscal management. I support a tax increase target of 2.0 per cent to 2.5 per cent, recognizing the financial pressures facing residents and businesses. Priorities would include funding a feasibility study for a third ice pad to address growing recreational demand, and adding a police officer to help increase community safety. We must continue to find efficiencies and grants to deliver value while investing in Tillsonburg.

Chris Rosehart: There are lots of items that should be in the budget.

Maintaining present infrastructure such as roads, recreation facilities, trails and working with our partners to maintain water and sewers and hydro.

Preserving our green space and ensuring that there is adequate green space added to new development.

I would like to see the tax percentage stay around 3 per cent. This will be a challenge to do; everyone wants more services so we as council need to work better with what we get from taxpayers.

Kim Sage: I don’t feel it would be responsible to set a specific target without first reviewing the town’s financials, current allocations, service levels, and any service cost increases. Ideally, I would like to see a zero increase, or even a decrease, while maintaining services. I’m not going to blow smoke or promise voters that I will simply “fix the budget” and lower taxes without knowing the facts. I believe that is an unreasonable promise to make. Sound decisions require all the information, identifying efficiencies, and ensuring taxpayers receive the best value for their money.

Dee Tosto: I’ll bring experience along with a realistic perspective to Tillsonburg’s 2027 budget discussions. I don’t see a town in financial crisis, but I do see long-term challenges we need to address now, particularly our infrastructure funding gap. There are many demands on our tax dollars, so we need thoughtful conversations about where money is needed, why it’s needed and what we can afford. I would target a 2-3 per cent tax increase linked to necessary services and clearly explained to residents. Transparent, accountable, and fact-based decisions are required to develop a strong budget in 2027.