Puslinch residents will see 4% increase to township tax bill

ABERFOYLE – Puslinch taxpayers will see a 3.99 per cent increase to the municipal portion of their tax bill in 2026.

Council approved the township's capital and operating budget on Feb. 11 – the last municipality in Wellington County to pass its budget.

For a typical home in the township assessed at $666,000, this amounts to $53 more per year in township taxes.

Combined with Wellington County and education taxes, the increase is 3.15% or $224.

The Puslinch operating budget comes in at $4.4 million, up slightly from 2025’s total of $4.2 million.

The approved capital budget is $5.3 million, down from $6.6 million in 2025.

Last year saw the purchase of a pumper truck for the fire department and the renovation of the municipal and operations facilities, which were big-ticket items.

The lion’s share of this year's capital budget will go to public works and roads projects totalling $3.79 million. They include improvements to Concessions 1 and 2, Daymond Drive, Nicholas Beaver Road, Carter Road, Farnham Road and Cooks Mill Road.

Council also approved a $1.53-million contribution to discretionary reserves used for future capital projects, including $394,050 for future gravel road improvements.

Fire equipment purchases and initiatives come to $117,751, while $1.73 million is set aside for parks and facilities, and $24,750 is allocated to economic development initiatives. 

One change was made to the 2026 proposed budget at the Feb. 11 meeting.

CAO Courtenay Hoytfox said while council had pre-approved the purchase of enforcement cameras in December, she sought a slight change.

“It was to be a capital cost but now we’re looking at a lease format,” she explained to council.

The cameras were to be purchased at a cost of about $33,000 with funds from the capital reserve.

Leasing means the cost – about $10,000 per year – would come from the operating budget, but Hoytfox said there are two benefits to leasing: the cameras can be replaced without cost if they malfunction and they have built-in artificial intelligence that can process data.

“That will save staff time,” she said, adding revenue from the cameras is expected to cover annual operating costs.

The cameras are not speed cameras. They are intended to photograph transport trucks carrying heavy loads on roads identified as restricted in the township's heavy vehicle bylaw.

Puslinch roads see a lot of heavy vehicle traffic and unless trucks stick to approved routes, they deteriorate roads that must be rehabilitated sooner at taxpayers' expense.

Signs will be mounted near the cameras stating, “Camera systems in use. heavy vehicle bylaw enforced by camera systems.”

Council approved the minor change to the operating and capital budgets.

“Puslinch council has approved a sensible budget that maintains our focus on key priorities during these challenging times,” Mayor James Seeley stated in a press release issued after council approved the budget.

“Despite continued high inflation and rising costs, the township portion of the increase for residents is just $53 annually.

"Council has remained committed to fiscal responsibility while continuing to invest in essential services and infrastructure without placing undue financial strain on residents.”