Salonen tables 2026 Wilmot Township budget
- Lee Griffi
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Mayor Natasha Salonen has tabled Wilmot Township’s 2026 budget, and if passed as is, ratepayers would see a 9.7 per-cent increase in their property tax bill.
Using her strong-mayor powers, Salonen appointed a consultant to lead development of the budget and long-term financial plan in collaboration with council, staff and KPMG financial experts.
KPMG is one of the world’s largest professional services firms, and the mayor decided to hire the company in part due to a shortage of township staff and the lack of a chartered professional accountant on the payroll.
Wilmot has seen some steep tax hikes in recent years, including an 18.22 per-cent increase in 2025. Salonen explained why this year’s increase is needed.
“(It) reflects a zero-based budget that recalculated the true cost of operating the township and ends the practice of covering shortfalls through reserves rather than fully budgeting for services. The budget includes $12 million to fund critical capital projects and a $1.5 million transfer to reserves. The funding fulfills council’s 2025 commitment to increase capital investments, including reserve contributions, by nine per cent per year for three years.”
Water rates are also set to increase by 4.9 per cent and wastewater rates will rise by five per cent. Together, the rate increases will total approximately $24 a month or $288 per year for the average homeowner.
“This budget reflects a more rigorous and accountable process than in years past, informed by updated financial assumptions and external expertise,” said Salonen. “It prioritizes affordability while beginning the work needed to restore long-term fiscal sustainability. This is a responsible plan for today and the future.”
The $12-million capital portion will fund 44 projects planned for 2026 and a $1.5 million transfer to reserves. Salonen said it fulfills council’s 2025 commitment to increase capital investments, including reserve contributions, by nine per cent per year for three years. She added all the capital projects are critical, but some stand out because they impact residents directly.
“The pool HVAC work is essential to keep the facility operational, and investments in traffic calming respond to one of the most consistent concerns we hear from residents around safety and speeding. These are practical projects focused on maintaining and protecting existing community assets.”
The budget was only released last Friday, but so far, Salonen said the feedback has been positive.
“While everyone wishes our fiscal circumstances were different, I have received positive feedback around the level of information provided and the need to properly fund current service levels.”
She added she welcomes any feedback from any member of council offering proposed changes to the draft budget and added it is critical to the process.
“This budget was built with more direct council involvement than in past years. Each councillor was given opportunities to bring forward resident priorities and concerns as the budget was developed. Any changes should still align to properly fund current service levels and maintain financial stability.”
Councillors will discuss the mayor’s proposed budget at a meeting on Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m., where elected officials may choose to accept the budget as presented or propose amendments. Council has until Feb. 5 to request amendments for consideration at a Feb. 9 meeting. Under provincial law, the final budget must be adopted by March 3.
A copy of the budget is available online at www.wilmot.ca/budget. Residents can provide input on the budget by emailing budget@wilmot.ca or by registering to delegate at the Jan. 29 meeting. Instructions for registering as a delegation are available at www.wilmot.ca/delegations.
The Gazette reached out to each Wilmot councillor for their thoughts on the budget. Coun. Lillianne Dunstall said she and her colleagues have not collectively shaped or endorsed the document.
“Although one-on-one meetings were offered, they are not an effective or transparent substitute for council working together in public. One-on-one discussions remove the benefit of collective debate, shared expertise and the questions councillors raise on behalf of residents.”
She added in previous budget cycles, council typically held more than one public meeting, allowing both councillors and residents to review information, ask questions and provide meaningful input. Dunstall said she’s been forced to play catch-up now.
“This budget was first shared with council one day before it was released publicly. We are now beginning the review process, including seeking clarification and answers from staff to meaningfully discuss the budget at the Jan. 29 special budget meeting.”
She is also encouraging constituents to make their voices heard.
“They can contact their councillor, register to delegate, or submit written comments to the clerk to be shared with council. However you choose to participate, please don’t let this opportunity pass without sharing your views and concerns,” she added.
Coun. Stewart Cressman said the township needs to continue to build reserves, given the region’s issues with water supply and the expenses related to the area’s old wastewater system needing upgrades. He added it would make more sense to increase water and wastewater rates by 5.9 per cent, which is what the Region of Waterloo is charging Wilmot.
“Not everybody in the township benefits from water and wastewater services, and unless you make sure you have adequate reserves, you are going to end up having everybody subsidizing water and wastewater. I’ve been banging that drum for quite a while at the township.”
Coun. Steven Martin declined to comment, saying he isn’t sure what to think about the budget at this point.
Coun. Kris Wilkinson and Coun. Harvir Sidu are out of the country and not available to comment.