Stirling-Rawdon Council signed off on the 2026 operating and capital budget Monday.
The budget includes a general municipal levy of just over $7.63 million, or a 5.4-per cent increase to the township portion of the tax rate.
When the township increase is combined with the education tax rate and the estimated County of Hastings tax rate, the impact on a home with an average assessment of $230,693 is approximately $210 per year, or about $17.50 per month.
Police costing will increase 11 per cent, while continued pressure of rising operating costs are also hitting the municipality.
The 2026 plan includes:
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Ongoing rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and municipal facilities
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Continued investment in water, wastewater, and stormwater systems
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Maintaining service levels in protective, environmental, and community services
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Long-term capital planning to ensure financial sustainability
The town’s updated water financial plan was also approved, with waste water rates increasing 1.5 per cent, water rates 8 per cent.
The plan outlines the long-term financial sustainability of the municipal drinking water system.
The rate structure remains unchanged, with the first 24 cubic metres per quarter included in the base charge.
In addition, council approved the 2026 Water and Wastewater Budget.
The budget is fully funded through user rates and nets to zero.
It includes both daily operating costs and planned capital work required to maintain and improve the township’s systems.
Mayor Mullin expressed his appreciation for the thorough budget presentations and thanked staff for their hard work in preparing a financial plan that keeps the impact on residents as manageable as possible.
He noted that council recognizes the financial pressures facing households and is pleased with the efforts made to balance necessary investments with affordability.
