Bruce County Council has approved the 2026 Capital and Operating Budget at their meeting on November 20, 2025. A final by-law will adopt the budget at the Council meeting on December 18th, 2025.
The budget supports the realization of actions set in the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan as well as the Indigenous Reconciliation Framework. It also addresses current pressures facing the community while committing to a long-term plan that appropriately funds the County’s aging infrastructure assets and builds a solid foundation for continued progress.
The approved budget:
- includes expenditures of $207 million;
- funding of $75.9 million from property tax levies, a 4.37% increase for 2026 with 2.5% of that dedicated to replacing aging infrastructure assets;
- key investments in transportation infrastructure, facilities, long term care and senior services, as well as housing and community development.
One of the focuses of the approved budget is on community support efforts. This includes moving forward with building the additional community housing development on Eastridge Road in Walkerton.
The approval of additional investments also enhances outreach supports and encampment response which bolsters homelessness prevention efforts. It provides transition support to secure and maintain stable housing for individuals on the By-Name list.
“The 2026 Budget is a responsible step forward in realizing our strategic plan for Bruce County’s continued prosperity,” commented Bruce County Warden Luke Charbonneau. “Through this budget, we are dedicating significant funding to infrastructure and social supports in a way that represents good value for property taxpayers.
“Thank you to our expert County staff for the hard work and careful planning that went into building this budget. Thank you also to the members of the community who helped to guide the process by providing their input through the annual budget survey.”
Discover more about the 2026 – 2030 draft corporate budget and forecast at www.brucecounty.on.ca/budget.
