Average Perth County household to pay $89.24 more a year: Budget

Source: Perth County.

Perth County has approved its 2026 budget, which will see the average home pay an additional $89.24 per year.

The approved budget represents an 8.75 per cent increase from last year.

Here are the key priorities of the budget, according to Perth County:

33 Capital projects representing a $9.6 million investment

Rehabilitation and/or replacement of key road network infrastructure, including four bridge and culvert projects, as well as the repaving of 22 centerline kilometres of road

Renovation of the Provincial Offences Courtroom and County Council Chambers at the County Courthouse

$50,000 financial contribution to the continued development of the Ontario Agri-Food Discovery Centre

The development of a new Economic Development and Tourism wayfinding signage program

“I would like to thank my Council colleagues for their detailed review and active participation throughout this year’s budget process,” said Warden Dean Trentowsky.

“I also want to acknowledge County staff for their hard work in developing and presenting the 2026 budget. Both Council and staff recognize the continued financial pressures and economic uncertainty faced by the ratepayers and their families, the farms, and the business owners across Perth County. The county is doing the best it can to ensure that essential service levels are upheld in a fair and responsible manner; while continuing to invest in the future needs and opportunities for Perth County citizens.”

Additional fiscal measures are shifting municipal drain work to capital expenses to smooth the impact to the budget, adding funds to capital reserves to help close the infrastructure gap, and avoiding the use of reserves for operation to support a commitment to long-term sustainability.