Puslinch Township eyes 3.8% tax increase

ABERFOYLE – Residents of Puslinch could be looking at a 3.82 per cent increase in the township portion of their tax bill, which amounts to an extra $51 per year.

Officials say the increase is due to rising gas and winter maintenance costs, staff salaries and benefits, contracted services and insurance, as well as some new projects, initiatives and service level changes already approved by council during the course of the year.

Treasurer Mary Hasan presented the 2026 draft operating budget to council at its Dec. 17 meeting.

The proposed operating tax levy totals $4.41 million and the proposed capital tax levy is $4.5 million, for a combined $5.92 million increase in the levy or 3.82%.

Farmland property would see a $13 per year increase; small retail/commercial properties $9 and industrial property would see an annual impact of $301.

Council didn’t approve the budget – that’s expected to happen in February.

But it did approve funding two, one-time increases from the 2025 surplus: $2,100 for peer review of cultural heritage statements and $23,100 to register heritage designation bylaws.

Council also agreed to add $10,000 to the base operating budget – $5,000 for economic development and community events, and $5,000 for planning act training.

“I see other mayors at county council and we’re all dealing with hard decisions,” said Mayor James Seeley.

“There’s not a lot of fat in these budgets.

“But we haven’t used the tax subsidy discretionary reserve, and $13 on an average assessed home is a great place to be.”

There is still opportunity for residents to weigh in through a survey at engagepuslinch.ca and through a public meeting slated for Jan. 21 at 7pm.

Attendance is in-person at the municipal office or through Zoom.