Ingersoll passes strong mayor budget with less than 2% tax hike

The Town of Ingersoll has approved its first-ever strong mayor power budget through a collaborative process. (Town of Ingersoll photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The 2026 Town of Ingersoll budget was adopted at the Jan. 12 council meeting, authorizing total spending of $62,330,283, including a $24,430,283 operating budget and a $37,900,000 capital budget.

This is the town’s first budget proposed since Ontario’s expansion of strong mayor powers and is the final budget of this term of Council.

“The total requirement from taxation in 2026 is $19,502,044, compared to $18,779,122 in 2025. This represents an increase in the tax levy of $722,922 or 3.85%, resulting in an effective tax rate increase of 1.98% for Ingersoll property owners,” said a town press release.

“The 2026 operating budget continues to balance service delivery with long-term sustainability,” it added.

Key highlights of the operating budget include $4.2 million in public safety services, including police, fire, and by-law enforcement. $4.18 million in transfers to reserves, ensuring future capital needs are adequately funded and the town’s financial position remains strong. A $750,000 contribution to the Multi-Use Recreation Centre (MURC) project, support for local non-profit organizations, community groups, and youth programs as well as a continued focus on economic development. The budget does not include any new debt financing.

Mayor Brian Petrie said he is not a big fan of the provincially mandated strong mayor budget process.

“I actually despise it says the mayor’s budget because it’s council’s budget. I really appreciate all the work staff did to try and get information out to the public. It could have been that this is the first time anyone saw the budget and I don’t think that’s right.”

Petrie added he appreciated the input provided by members of council and added all elected officials need to have a say in council decisions.

“It is one of the most important documents we do throughout the year. It is the plan for the community.”

Deputy Mayor Lindsay Wilson echoed Petrie’s comments and criticized the province’s strong mayor budget rules.

“This process was weird, to say the least, but I know everyone made a lot of effort to make sure it wasn’t weird, but we only have so much control over the process, so I give a lot of credit to staff and the mayor for trying to mirror what we have been doing.”

She also praised her fellow council members for making the budget process as collaborative as possible.

“(The strong mayor) legislation provides the opportunity for conflict and grandstanding but no one did that. We did it together and I do really appreciate my peers, staff and the mayor for making this process as painless as possible.”

Councillor Mike Bowman realized the mayor’s name is on the document but staff and all elected officials had opportunities to get involved.

“We did what we needed to do to come to this result and I want to compliment everyone on a job well done through a whole difficult process we don’t even understand. Thank you very much for making it as simple as possible and including us.”

The town said the budget outlines planned investments in infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and technology that support the delivery of essential municipal services.

“The program focuses on maintaining existing assets in a state of good repair, advancing council’s strategic priorities and ensuring the long-term sustainability of municipal infrastructure. (It) also marks the groundbreaking and first phase of construction of the MURC. This project is a long-awaited and much-needed community facility that will provide significant recreational and social benefits to residents for decades to come,” added the release.

The proposed 2026 capital plan includes 60 projects with a total capital budget of $37.9 million, funded though $21.35 in reserves, $1.35 million in reserve funds, just under $6 million in grants and fundraising, $7.4 million in land sale proceeds and an Oxford County contribution of $65,000.

In addition, $1.75 million in prior-year projects is being carried forward to 2026, with corresponding funding remaining in reserves until spent.