​Kincardine adopts 2026 budget with tax-rate increase of 2.88 per cent

Kincardine’s 2026 budget was deemed adopted, Thursday (Dec. 18), with a tax-rate increase of 2.88 per cent. For an average home, assessed at $275,000, this equates to an increase of about $75 per year, or about $1.43 per week.

A press release, issued Friday by the Municipality of Kincardine, states that the budget "maintains existing programs and services while investing in critical infrastructure and community amenities that support residents and visitors."

“The provincially-implemented 2026 budget process helped council remain focused on maintaining core services, while making targeted investments in community safety, financial resilience, and support for our local hospital," said mayor Kenneth Craig.

This year’s budget balances fiscal responsibility with long-term planning. Key investments include:
 

• Upgrades to water and wastewater treatment systems
• Road-paving, culvert replacements, and bridge repairs
• Completion of the final phase of the water meter roll-out to enable fully remote meter-reading
• Purchase of a new landfill shredder to help extend the landfill’s operating life
• Construction of the Kincardine Lions All-Wheel Park at the Davidson Centre
• Construction of a new bandshell at Victoria Park
• Rehabilitation of an accessible washroom at Rotary Park
• Continued enhancements at Station Beach, including new fencing and a redesigned parking lot
• Capital upgrades at the Hawthorne Community Clinic, including roof, HVAC (heating and cooling systems), and window replacements
• LED lighting upgrades at the Tiverton Arena and the Whitney Crawford Community Centre
• New cardio and strength-training equipment at the health club

The budget also strengthens long-term financial sustainability by setting aside additional funding of $685,000 for asset renewal and future infrastructure needs.

In addition, council approved a contribution to the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation’s expansion project at the Kincardine Hospital, supporting access to quality health care close to home. The $600,000 included in the 2026 budget forms part of the municipality’s total commitment of $2.4-million.

“The question will always remain: How do we provide the services and programs our citizens expect and rely on, while also keeping taxation at an affordable level?" said Craig. "Council and staff will continue to listen, monitor, evaluate, and improve the facilities and programs we provide for our businesses, visitors, and residents. We’re better together.”

To learn more about the municipal budget, visit www.kincardine.ca/MB26.

This is the first year for the new budget process, based on Ontario's strong mayor powers.

Craig presented the 2026 budget Nov. 17, and council had 30 days in which to present formal amendments to the budget.

Those amendments were discussed at the Dec. 10 council meeting, and beginning Dec. 18, the mayor had 10 days to veto any council-approved amendments. If a veto were to occur, council could vote to over-ride it by Jan. 20, 2026, requiring six of nine members of council to vote in favour.

In this case, Craig decided not to exercise his veto powers and, therefore, the budget was deemed adopted. There is no mechanism for council to vote and adopt the budget, as in the past.