Property owners in the Town of Kingsville are set to see a significant rise in their municipal tax bills next year. Town council has finalized the 2026 budget, which includes a 5.9 per cent increase in the municipal portion of property taxes.
Impact on Households and Budget Drivers
For the average household with a property assessed at $250,000, the tax increase translates to an additional $126 annually. Chief Administrative Officer John Norton acknowledged the challenges in crafting this year's financial plan, which council approved on December 10, 2025.
A substantial portion of the hike is directly linked to rising policing expenses. A $535,107 increase in Kingsville's contract with the Ontario Provincial Police accounts for 2.1 per cent of the total tax increase, or roughly $45 per household. Town officials attribute this jump to new province-wide wage agreements for police services.
Major Capital Projects and Infrastructure Spending
Despite efforts to limit the financial impact on residents, the 2026 budget includes several essential infrastructure investments. The town has allocated $2.6 million for road reconstruction and resurfacing. Another $1.4 million is dedicated to bridge replacements and rehabilitations, while $270,000 will fund sidewalk replacements.
To prepare for future needs, Kingsville will also boost contributions to its lifecycle reserves by $619,000. This fund is designed to cover long-term costs for maintaining roads, bridges, town facilities, parks, and the municipal vehicle fleet.
Investments in Public Safety and Staffing
Public safety represents some of the largest single expenditures in the new budget. Council has approved $1.2 million to replace Engine 122, a front-line fire truck that has reached the end of its serviceable life. An additional $625,000 is earmarked for replacing the town's aging street sweeper, known colloquially as the 'Pig Pen.'
The town implemented several internal changes to manage costs, including leaving vacant positions in the planning and legal departments unfilled. However, council also created a new director-level position to oversee parks and recreation and moved the communications and marketing assistant role from part-time to full-time.
"I want to thank our finance team, our managers, and mayor and council for working closely to ensure our 2026 budget respects financial reality while balancing our commitment to creating a thriving, resilient and welcoming town for all residents," stated CAO John Norton.
