City of Guelph passes Strong Mayor budget

Guelph City Hall is seen on Oct. 3, 2022. (Dan Lauckner/CTV Kitchener)

Guelph City Council has approved the 2026 budget for city services featuring a property tax increase of $171.47 for the median single-family detached home.

The overall tax levy will be going up 3.36 per cent.

Council also confirmed a special hospital levy of $375,000, which equates to approximately 0.11 per cent.

The budget was crafted under Ontario’s Strong Mayor powers, which require the head of council, in this case the mayor, to propose a budget for the municipality each year by Feb. 1. The proposed budget is then shared with all members of council, the municipal clerk and the public. Council can then amend the proposed budget by passing a resolution within 30 days, and the mayor has 10 days from the end of council’s review period to veto any amendment. Council can override that veto if two-thirds of all members vote to do so.

In a news release Tuesday, Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie said he reduced the proposed 4.51 per cent proposed tax levy increase down to 2.85 per cent. That number rose as council put forth amendments, including adding daytime spaces for people in need, enhancing Guelph Transit’s Route 98 and increasing funding for the city’s bicentennial. Guthrie said he would not veto any amendments.

“I believe these further investments of 0.51 per cent provide great value to the community, and I’m thankful for council working collaboratively to complete the city services portion of the budget for 2026,” the mayor said.

Some highlights from the budget include two new paramedic shifts, opening of the South End Community Centre, expanding seniors’ services, implementing termite control and a downtown renewal program for the Wyndham Street replacement of aging sewers, pipes and watermains.

At this point, the budget only includes city services. In February, local boards and shared services, including Guelph Police Services and Wellington-Dufferin Guelph Public Health, will present their own portion of the budget to council. Once those are approved, the final tax levy can be calculated.

Last year, the city passed a city service budget of 3.66 per cent.