Prince Edward County Council has begun their three-day budget deliberation process.
During Monday’s special council meeting at Shire Hall, council began with an overview of the draft budget that had been prepared by staff. The first day was dedicated to a top-level overview of the budget, with presentations prepared to go into detail on parts of the capital budget on Tuesday and operating budget on Wednesday.
The presented draft budget contained an 11% increase on the 2026 tax levy resulting in the average homeowner paying an extra $22.55 monthly, or $271 annually, for a home with an assessed value of $267,000.
The operating budget includes all services that the municipality currently provides, with no cuts. In order to maintain those services, the budget grew to accommodate inflation, rising labour costs, and other factors.
The capital budget as presented incorporates a number of recommended projects and investments in municipal infrastructure. A total of 62% of new capital investment is in road works, and another 12% is on bridges.
The budget sparked vigorous debate in the council chambers, with Councillor Corey Engelsdorfer putting forward a motion to reject the budget as presented, and refer it back to staff with instructions to bring forward a budget that represents only inflation-related spending increases.
Councillor Englesdorfer said that an 11% increase was more than the county’s residents can afford.
“Many households here earn less than what is considered a living wage, and therefore may already be struggling to cover basic necessities like housing, transportation, childcare and food,” said Councillor Englesdorfer “Nearly one in four households is food insecure, a rate 23% higher than the national average. This isn’t about a lack of food in the community, it’s about insufficient income to afford that food.”
Councillor Phil St-Jean spoke against the motion, saying that a motion like this is proposed every time budget comes up.
“I don’t believe it’s up to them to tell us what our community wants cut. That is our responsibility. I have never liked it when a council member brings forward a motion say, oh, let’s kick it back to staff. To me that’s abrogating our responsibilities,” said Councillor St-Jean. “It’s our job to find those things that we think are wants and are not needs.”
Council voted against the motion, six to eight, in a recorded vote. Councillors Corey Engelsdorfer, Roy Pennell, Brad Nieman, Phil Prinzen, David Harrison, and Chris Braney voted in favor.
With the motion defeated, council entered recess until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, for the capital budget presentations.
After the budget review process, and any revisions, the final budget will go before council for approval in January.
