Bruce County council is getting closer to approving the 2026 budget.
At Thursday’s council meeting, staff presented an updated proposal, which included a 4.77% tax levy increase after projected changes from growth within the county.
Items that are still included in the budget that will have an effect on the proposed increase include the 2026 International Plowing Match, the reserve contribution for the expansion to the Bruce County Museum, and one-time costs that are anticipated to be funded by the Tax Stabilization Reserve.
Deputy treasurer Lynn Hatten shared the proposed changes, particularly with changes to childcare expenses and paramedic services.
“When I reviewed these numbers, I looked at the percentage increases, and there’s three factors that you need to think about when you’re talking about maintaining services. The increase also includes growth.”
The changes from growth fluctuates 1-2%, as shown in previous years.
Staff also provided the impacts associated with hiring five new full-time equivalent employees: a logistics technician for paramedic services, an analyst for the county’s IT team, an on-boarding coordinator for the human resources department, a business integration manager for paramedic services, and a records management coordinator who would work with the CAO’s office.
Councillor Chris Peabody had reservations about hiring for the five new positions, which was shared by other members of the council.
“We need to discuss the additional full-time equivalents that we’re adding,” he said. “It seems to be year-over-year we add more and more. I don’t think I can support adding this many people year-over-year.”
Peabody’s sentiments were echoed by councillors Caleb Hull and Milt McIver.
Individual members of council are hoping to see a tax levy increase of around 4%, so a few further adjustments would be needed to make a budget that council would be willing to approve.
