ELORA – Centre Wellington residents will see a 3.68 per cent increase on their property tax bill next year.
The 2026 budget, approved by council on Dec. 2, includes operating expenses of $60.6 million and capital projects totalling $35.7 million.
It adds 10.7 new staff members and increases user fees by 2.5%. That includes recreation programs, fees and permits, and water and wastewater fees.
Last year’s tax increase was 3.49%.
CAO Dan Wilson said when staff began the budget process last spring, it was looking like a 7% increase in taxation.
He said staff pulled $670,000 worth of items from the list to reach 3.68%.
The township was also up against inflation (2%) and reductions in the OCIF ($215,701) and OMPF ($21,300) grants, which impact taxation, Wilson said.
But a couple of weeks ago, staff learned that insurance would not be increasing as much as presumed, leaving the township with a windfall of $43,000.
There was some discussion among councillors whether to use that to reduce the tax increase or put it in the asset management reserve.
In the end they applied the savings – about $3 per residence – to the tax bill.
So, the average home assessed at $387,226 will pay $1,578 to the township in 2026, an increase of about $56 over last year.
Combined with Wellington County and education taxes, the average household will pay $5,103 annually.
Treasurer Adam McNabb said staff had a strong public engagement strategy and offered many opportunities for residents to voice their opinions.
But the municipality received just 151 comments on the budget, “which is disappointing,” he said.
Council took a long look at the new hires and questioned their necessity, eventually voting to keep the new jobs in the budget.
Wilson said the new positions are required to meet legislative requirements, planning policies that are constantly changing, the growing population and geography of the township, and to add a few new services, such as trail maintenance.
Some of the big-ticket capital projects next year include:
- developing a new housing action plan;
- a new Fergus sportsplex site development study;
- major rehabilitation of bridge 1-E, on 7th Line in former Eramosa Township;
- full reconstruction of Smith Street, between David and Henderson streets, in Elora;
- water meter replacement program;
- construction of the new operations centre;
- Belwood Hall renovation;
- reconstruction of Colborne Street, from Beatty Line to 120 metres west of the Storybrook subdivision, and coordinating with the new alignment of Colborne Street internal to the subdivision;
- new roof at the Fergus sportsplex; and
- redesign and accessibility upgrades for Strathallan Park in Fergus.
Wilson also provided a list of work staff will undertake in 2026, such as:
- utilizing the 2025 Housing Needs Assessment to develop a housing action plan;
- administering and supporting the new paid parking program;
- implementing the administrative monetary penalty system (AMPS) for bylaw violations; and
- planning for and conducting the 2026 municipal election.
This was the first budget passed under the Strong Mayor Powers, so technically it was Mayor Shawn Watters’ budget.
But the process, at his direction, was much like in previous years, and neither council nor the mayor used veto powers.
Councillor Jennifer Adams thanked Watters for keeping the process open and for welcoming council discussion.
“It could have been different, but it still felt like a group effort,” she said.
For his part, Watters thanked staff for their work and innovation in presenting a balanced, responsible budget.
“This is the most important thing we do all year long,” he said to council, noting how councillors had “lamented over the smallest things.
“But the budget process was fair and equitable … and demonstrates that we all truly care about this community.”
