SDG COUNTIES, Ontario – At a special meeting held Tuesday, Dec. 2, SDG Counties Council finalized the 2026 budget. The budget — approved in principle — sets a 4.48 per cent increase in the residential property tax rate for the coming year.
For the typical home in our region, assessed at $220,459, this change equates to an increase of approximately $66.12 annually.
Each year, the SDG budget must respond to a variety of external pressures beyond the direct control of council and staff: shared services, policing costs, inflationary pressures, and aging infrastructure. In recent budgets, these external factors have prompted tax increases while preserving service levels and enabling core infrastructure maintenance.
Despite those challenges, SDG Counties continues to hold a strong financial position. That stability provides Council with important flexibility — both to meet ongoing obligations and to make strategic decisions on projects and priorities.
“Council has worked hard to navigate the many external pressures that continue to impact municipalities across Ontario,” said Warden Martin Lang. “Despite rising costs in areas we cannot control, we’ve delivered a responsible and forward-looking budget that maintains services, supports our infrastructure, and positions SDG Counties for continued stability.
“On behalf of Council I would like to extend thanks to our staff who have invested many hours in providing a budget document that is both prudent and progressive.”
The 2026 draft budget is structured to maintain current service levels — ensuring residents continue receiving the high standard of services they expect — while also allowing for targeted investments in infrastructure and long-term needs.
“Staff and council have collaborated closely to ensure this budget reflects both fiscal prudence and the needs of our communities,” said SDG Counties CAO Maureen Adams. “Even with significant external cost drivers, we have maintained a disciplined approach that protects core services and enables us to plan confidently for the year ahead.”
2026 budget at a glance
- Residential tax rate increase: 4.48 per cent.
- Policing costs have increased by $1.28 million to a total of $11,657,615.
- SDG Counties will complete $650,000 worth of culvert and entrance rehabilitation in 2026.
- A pair of large-scale bridge reconstruction projects will take place in 2026, including the Casse Bridge on County Road 31 ($4.1 million) and the Pittston Creek Bridge ($750,000).
- Total projected gross expenditures: $78.2 million
What this means for residents
For a home with an assessed value of $220,459 (approximately the regional average), the increase works out to about $66.12 a year, or roughly $5.51 per month.
That increase helps safeguard the delivery of essential services — such as policing, social services, public works, and infrastructure maintenance — that support quality of life across SDG Counties.
It also positions SDG Counties to continue investing in infrastructure projects and long-term upkeep that benefit all communities.
Council’s decisions reflect a balanced approach by recognizing the financial pressures on households today, while responding responsibly to rising costs and the need for long-term municipal investments.
The budget requires final approval by way of a special bylaw that will be debated at an upcoming council meeting.