Town of Goderich Adopts 2026 Budget with a Three Per Cent Tax Rate Increase, Focuses on Priority Infrastructure Projects

From fixing the downtown core infrastructure to funding events like Winterfest, the Town of Goderich’s 2026 budget outlines how tax dollars will be spent, and where choices will be made.

Initially, Deanna Hastie, Treasurer for the Town of Goderich, presented the draft budget to council members on January 27, and further discussions took place prior to adopting the 2026 budget.

On February 11, the 2026 Town Budget was adopted with a three per cent tax rate increase, which creates an additional $326, 540 in tax revenue.

“As Mayor, I take responsibility for taxpayers very seriously. Every dollar we discuss represents someone’s hard work, someone’s household budget, someone’s trust in this council to make thoughtful, balanced decisions,” stated Mayor Trevor Bazinet at the January 27 meeting when the 2026 Draft Budget was proposed.

“Our goal is to not simply fund services but to steward public money in a way that strengthens Goderich today, while positioning us well for tomorrow.

“We are facing real pressures - costs, infrastructure needs, growth demands and expectations for service delivery. At the same time, we are also seeing opportunity. Opportunity to invest wisely, to plan proactively, and to build a community that remains strong, welcoming and resilient.”

What does the three per cent tax rate increase mean to taxpayers?

An average residential property assessed at $230,000 will pay $73.14 more for 2026 in property taxes.

An increase in the Town’s Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) operating grant and assessment growth have assisted in mitigating the tax rate increase.

The 2026 OMPF allocation is $2,072, 300, which is an increase of $220,000 from 2025.

Hastie says this has a favourable impact on the budget.

“The majority of funding for capital projects is set to come from capital reserve funds, reserves and grants,” said Hastie.

“Capital overall is supported by taxation.”

Government grants and reserve funds used for necessary infrastructure projects and maintenance needs, assist in keeping the tax rate at three per cent.

Under the Municipal Act, the Town if required to prepare and pass a budget annually.

A municipality’s budget must balance, meaning money coming in must equal money going out.

“The goal of the annual budget is to provide sufficient funds for service delivery, contingencies for unexpected expenses, and to strive to ensure that the Town has adequate reserve funds to maintain our infrastructure,” said Hastie at the January 27 Council meeting.

“The annual budget allocates resources to public services and projects while being mindful of keeping property taxes and user fees at reasonable levels balanced with providing services at acceptable levels.”

According to the Town of Goderich, the Budget balances affordability with essential investment to sustain service delivery and advance the strategic goals of the Town.

The 2026 Budget includes $18 million in planned spending for the year ahead, in capital projects and equipment replacement.

The Budget focuses on local infrastructure such as ongoing road maintenance while maintaining other essential services such as replacement of the HVAC system at the water plant, continuing the rebuilding of the downtown infrastructure project, renovations at the Maitland Valley Medical Centre and the addition of the kayak launch pad at the marina.

Goderich’s town budget determines municipal services, sets property tax rates, and guides community planning and infrastructure projects.

Municipal services include snow removal, fire protection, by-law enforcement, road maintenance, parks and recreation programs and economic development initiatives.

Infrastructure projects include road and sewer repairs like the downtown revitalization project, essential equipment replacements, and stormwater management.

The town budget determines the quality and availability of municipal services; it guides infrastructure development and sets property taxes while supporting community programs.

Funding has been approved for the following key capital projects for 2026:

Rebuilding Downtown Infrastructure Project – Year 2 - $4,645,921

Replacement of Mater Control Centre and HVAC system at the Water Plant - $5,024,800

Storm Sewer Replacement – Wastewater Plant - $650,000

Oxford Street Reconstruction - $2,039,150

Other Roadwork - $398,499

Street Sweeper Truck Replacement - $650,000

Renovations at the Maitland Valley Medical Centre - $400,000

Facility Work at the Memorial Community Centre - $288,000

Other Facility Work, Equipment and Vehicle Replacements - $2,287,800

According to the Town of Goderich, Reserves and Reserve Funds show an overall decrease of $8,145,435 for the year.

Reserve fund is cash allocated, if not needed for an immediate project, borrowing internally and paying interest internally, to save for when needed or move to another department to pay for priority projects.

“Reserves and reserve funds are important tools for a municipality, allowing for long-term planning, internal financing and dealing with unknown situations that may arise,” explained Hastie.

“The Town continues to maintain a significant level of reserve and reserve funds. Strategies have been set up to contribute to reserves and reserve funds on an annual basis. These strategies assist in maintaining sufficient cash flow to meet the Town’s obligations such as replacement of current assets.”

In the 2026 Budget, these strategies were maintained to build reserves and reserves funds.

“Council may establish a reserve for any purpose and apply the funds at their discretion,” Hastie explained.

Other projects requiring additional confirmation before proceeding are the replacement of the stairway to North Harbour Road costing $700,000, only if a grant is approved, and the Bannister Park parking lot regrade and pave costing $650,000, only if Council approves this project.

“Reserves are there for a purpose, and they do increase or decrease over time, depending on what projects are made a priority in a particular year,” added Hastie.

In summary, inflationary pressures persist and continue to impact the budget expenditures.

The 2026 Budget reflects significant investment in the Town’s infrastructure assets. Investment in critical core services such as water, roads and sewers has been prioritized.

“This budget is not just a financial document,” concluded Mayor Bazinet.

“It’s a reflection on our priorities, our values and our belief in this community’s future.”

For more information on the 2026 Budget visit https://www.goderich.ca