Council Highlights - January 26, 2026 Budget Meeting

The Township of Huron-Kinloss Council Meeting was held in Council Chambers at 21 Queen Street in Ripley at 9:00 a.m. This meeting focused on reviewing the Mayor’s proposed 2026 Budget and the context, reports, and public input that inform Council’s next steps during the provincial amendment period.

The full agenda and supporting documents can be viewed on the Township of Huron-Kinloss website.

How the 2026 Budget Works Under the Municipal Act

Recent updates to the Municipal Act set out a provincially legislated budget process in which the Mayor is responsible for preparing and releasing the draft budget.

Under this framework:

• The Mayor must release the proposed budget before February 1, 2026.
• Once released, a 30 day Council amendment period begins.
• During this time, Council may bring forward motions suggesting changes to the draft.
• After the legislated timelines conclude, the budget—with or without amendments—is deemed adopted under provincial rules.

For 2026, the Mayor released the proposed budget on January 19, 2026. formally opening the amendment window. This gives Council a clear period to review the document, ask questions, and consider potential amendments.

Community Engagement: What We Heard from Residents

In November 2025, residents of Huron-Kinloss were invited to complete the annual budget survey and identify the services and investments that matter most to them.

The survey results highlighted several clear priorities:

• Fire & Emergency Services
• Transportation
• Water & Wastewater
• Parks, Recreation & Community Services

These priorities helped inform the development of the proposed 2026 Budget.

Mayor’s Focus and Priorities in the Proposed 2026 Budget

Building on the community budget survey results, the Mayor formally proposed the 2026 Draft Budget on January 19, 2026.

Residents can review the full document in two formats:

• Digital Budget Book: an interactive online version
• PDF Budget Book: A downloadable and printable version

Both include a short introduction from the Mayor outlining the key considerations behind the draft. He highlights a focus on the services residents rely on most—such as roads, bridges, water systems, and core community programs—while balancing these priorities with current financial pressures.

As he notes, “By finding ways to work more efficiently and prioritizing long term stability, we are working to keep our Township an affordable and welcoming place for everyone.”

Residents are encouraged to explore the draft budget to see how municipal services are funded and where investments are proposed for the coming year.

Proposed 2026 Municipal Tax Rate

The Township of Huron Kinloss is responsible for setting the municipal portion of the property tax bill. Under the proposed 2026 Budget:

• The levy would increase by 6.51%, or $746,968, compared to 2025.
• After accounting for revenues and reserve transfers, this results in a 4% increase to the municipal residential tax rate.
• The education tax rate remains unchanged, and the County rate is still pending.

What this means for a homeowner:

• For every $100,000 in assessed property value, municipal taxes would increase by $30.32.
• For the average assessed home in Huron‑Kinloss ($272,000), the municipal portion would increase by about $82.50.
• When Municipal, County, and Education taxes are combined, the overall increase is estimated at $54 per $100,000 of assessment, or roughly $0.15 per day.

This information is provided to help residents understand the potential financial impact as Council continues its review during the amendment period.

Overview of the January 26 Budget Meeting

The January 26, 2026 meeting was the first step in Council’s formal review of the Mayor’s proposed 2026 Budget.

At this meeting, Council:

• Discussed residents’ priorities from the annual budget survey
• Reviewed key background reports, including updates on road maintenance costs and meeting technology needs
• Asked questions and received clarification from staff on various parts of the draft budget
• Went over the provincial budget timelines that outline how the 2026 Budget moves through the review and amendment process

All reports and materials from this meeting, including the full Draft Budget, are available through the January 26 Council agenda for anyone who wishes to take a closer look.

Next Steps in the 2026 Budget Process

Council is now in the provincially required 30 day amendment period, which runs until February 18, 2026. During this time, any Council member may bring forward a motion proposing an amendment to the Mayor’s draft budget.

Each amendment must identify:

1. The dollar amount to be added or removed
2. Where the funds will be requested to come from (the tax rate, reserve, or reserve fund)
3. The description of the item to be considered
4. Whether it impacts the operating or capital budget

The next regular Council meeting on Monday, February 2, 2026 falls within this amendment window. While it is not a budget meeting and no presentation is scheduled, Council members may still bring forward budget-related motions.

Once the amendment period closes, the remaining steps set out in the Municipal Act take effect, including:

• The Mayor’s time‑limited opportunity to respond
• Council’s opportunity to review those responses

After these legislative steps are complete, the budget is formally deemed adopted.

Upcoming Meetings

The next Township of Huron Kinloss Committee of the Whole meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026, followed by a Council Meeting at 1:00 p.m. Both meetings take place in Council Chambers at the Municipal Office, 21 Queen Street, Ripley.

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