CARLETON PLACE — Carleton Place council has approved the 2026 municipal budget under Ontario’s strong mayor framework, finalizing a 1.95 per cent tax rate increase for the coming year.
The increase works out to $45.19 a year for a home assessed at $293,000, or $3.77 a month. Staff say the rise covers higher infrastructure renewal costs and ongoing service delivery pressures.
The budget was adopted on Nov. 25 after Mayor Toby Randell issued a direction under the Municipal Act to waive the mayoral veto period for council’s amendments. That step deemed the budget approved following council’s Nov. 20 decision to shorten the amendment timeline.
Strong mayor process
Carleton Place is now operating under Regulation 530/22, which places the annual budget under strong mayor rules. Randell’s Mayoral Direction 2025-001 instructed the CAO and treasurer to prepare the 2026 business plans and budgets for publication by Oct. 31, and to follow the process outlined in a staff report dated Aug. 26.
The mayor tabled the budget on Oct. 21, triggering a 30-day window for council to propose amendments. Council chose not to shorten the period at its Nov. 4 meeting. Budget presentations followed on Nov. 13 and 20, with amendments finalized ahead of the Nov. 20 deadline.
On Nov. 25, Randell waived the veto period, completing the approval process.
What changed in the 2026 municipal budget
Council supported 42 amendments that shifted funding, deferred capital work and removed several projects to manage tax pressures.
Key changes included:
- Removal or deferral of multiple capital items, including the business mapping project, agenda-building software, online AMPS system, pool building code repairs and dehumidification work.
- Reductions to several technology and equipment budgets, such as web security software and council chamber upgrades.
- Shifts in funding sources for select projects, including using the Housing Accelerator Fund for the fees and charges assessment and development charges for McEachen Drive.
- Additions of carried-forward projects, including arena accessible washrooms, Canoe Club paving and the Centennial Park concept plan.
- Approval of $42,000 for a new Town Hall security system.
- A new $500,000 allocation for planning work on a future multi-use recreation complex, funded by development charges.
- Movement of $40,000 from library accessibility upgrades to create a new capital project for an accessible ramp at the museum.
Council also confirmed continued funding for Chamber tourism initiatives, with communications oversight by town staff.
A large portion of the tax reduction resulted from adjusting reserve use for capital asset management projects and removing or deferring several major capital items.
Next steps
Municipal staff will upload final budget documents and update the town’s financial dashboard as required under strong mayor reporting rules. The new tax levy takes effect Jan. 1.
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