2027 Budget Direction

I attended Thursday’s Council meeting to listen to the discussion around the direction for the 2027 Township budget.

As someone running for Council in Ward 1, I think it’s important to understand the numbers before forming an opinion — and I think residents deserve that same opportunity.

One number that caught my attention was the 4.72% municipal tax increase being used as the starting point in the 2027 budget process and included in the Township’s current taxpayer-impact information.

I wanted to understand: What does that 4.72% actually mean? Where is the money going? And what would it mean for the average taxpayer?

According to the Township, the 4.72% is currently a planning target, not a final tax increase. About 3% is intended to continue addressing the Township’s infrastructure funding gap, while approximately 1.72% is intended to maintain municipal operations and existing services.

Council is also considering an additional 0.6% for the gravel roads asset-management funding gap, which would bring the potential planning range to 4.72%–5.32%.

The Township has also made it clear that no final 2027 tax increase has been approved.

So where does your property tax actually go?

Using a $200,000 residential assessment, a typical 2026 property tax bill is approximately $2,300.

That breaks down roughly as follows:

🏛️ Greater Madawaska — $1,065

This is the Township portion and supports local services such as roads, fire services, recreation, facilities and local infrastructure.

🏛️ County of Renfrew — $928

This portion goes to the County of Renfrew and supports County responsibilities including County roads and bridges, paramedic services, long-term care, housing and other County services.

🏫 Education — $306

This portion is collected for education.

So, on a $200,000 assessment, less than half of the total property tax bill stays with Greater Madawaska.

That distinction is important when we talk about taxes.

The Township controls its own portion of the tax bill, while the County levy is determined at the County level. Both portions, however, appear together on the property tax bill residents receive.

The Township’s preliminary calculation for the proposed 4.72% municipal increase in 2027 is approximately $50.28 per year on a $200,000 assessment — and that is for the municipal portion only.

I believe we need to be responsible with every tax dollar.

That doesn’t mean promising that taxes will never increase. Roads need to be maintained, equipment needs to be replaced, infrastructure needs to be planned for, and the cost of providing services changes over time.

But I also believe we should continually ask:

Are we spending efficiently?

In April 2026, the council approved to pay the county $750 for a study of traffic along the 508 through Springtown. What was the result? I live in Springtown and there is 1 speed sign that says 60 km ends as you enter Springtown and 2 80 km signs between the Springtown bridge turn off and the 511 turn off.

Are our priorities right?

In the meeting the treasurer brought forth a change in the pet licencing process which will be a slight cost savings for the township but 2 councillors didn’t realize dogs are required to be licenced.

Can we find savings before asking taxpayers for more?

And are we investing enough today to avoid bigger costs tomorrow?

The 2027 budget process is just getting started, and the Township is asking residents for their input through the budget survey.

I encourage everyone in Ward 1 to take the time to look at the numbers, complete the survey and have your voice heard.

Steady, responsible progress.

Keep what works. Improve what doesn’t. Plan for what’s next.