Ward 4 (old town boundaries) only area not getting property tax increase
The 2026 budget for the municipality of Woodstock was unveiled on Nov. 25 by Town of Woodstock Director of Finance and Treasurer Jennifer Crabbe. In it, she revealed that the Ward 4 (old town boundaries) property tax rate will remain the same, but all other wards will increase by 2 cents.
Crabbe explained that in the wards where the rate has increased, a residential property valued at $327,600 will have to pay an additional $65.52 on its property tax bill, and a business assessed at that amount would pay an extra $111 in property tax.
“The two-cent increase was deemed necessary to cover the increase in the RCMP costs towards Wards 1, 2, 3 and 5 as well as the increase in the solid waste collection,” Crabbe told the council.
Property taxes heavily fund municipal budgets. In Woodstock’s case, 75 per cent of the 2026 budget of $21 million (an increase of nearly $3 million from 2025) will come from property taxes. The rest of their operating funds will come from the policing realignment funds, as well as revenues from services and Fiscal Capacity funding.
Crabbe went on to explain that the province’s Fiscal Capacity Funds increased from $659,000 to just under $1.3 million. AYR Motor Centre revenue went from $1.3 million to just under $1.4 million.
All other revenue sources increased from $701,000 to $2.4 million, primarily due to $1.6 million in police realignment funding, intended to offset the impacts of policing growth as the municipality prepares to use town police in all wards. Once the realignment funding is subtracted, the actual increase in revenue sources was approximately $100,000.
Expenses have also risen. Under general government, the budget, which includes salaries, benefits, municipal buildings, and the general operation of the municipality, was increased by over half a million dollars, topping out at $2.58 million for 2026.
Crabbe said most of that increase was due to the additional staffing and wage increases for the existing staff. Community Grants will go from $150,000 to $250,000. Policing in Ward 4 increased $1.3 million from last year, bringing the total to $5.5 million. RCMP costs for Wards 1, 2, 3, and 5 increased by $32,000, bringing the total to $1.65 million. The fire department will increase its budget by $63,000, bringing its total to $1.1 million.
Crabbe said other protective services will see an increase of $50,000, bringing their total to $260,000. Transportation will increase by $36,000, bringing their total for 2026 to $2.2 million.
Waste collection and disposal costs will increase by $137,000, bringing the total to $1.2 million in 2026. Crabbe attributed the majority of that increase to a more frequent pickup schedule, starting in July.
Economic Development and Tourism’s expenses have decreased for 2026. Crabbe also explained that some of the money that usually would have been in this category had been moved to general government.
Crabbe also said the decrease was the result of the municipality’s decision to use the Regional Service Commission for planning and development and to eliminate the town’s Director of Planning and Development, previously held by Andrew Garnett.
Garnett, who has held multiple positions with the town, including CAO, received his layoff notice at the end of October.
The Recreation, Culture, and Community Services budget increased by $460,000, to just over $4 million. Most of that increase is due to additional staffing, wage increases, electricity, repairs, maintenance and supplies.
There was also a decrease in principal interest and bank charges by $35,000, to $526,000.
Next year, their general operating capital and police realignment capital will be $1.2 million.
The Municipalities Utility Budget saw a slight increase in water and sewer revenues of $126,000, bringing total revenues for 2026 up by seven per cent to $2.3 million. Water and sewer expenses decreased by just under $90,000 each. Fiscal Service Interest for utilities is now $64,000, which is a slight decrease of $482. The Utility capital budget increased to $348,000, with a $77,000 deficit carried over from 2024.
After Crabbe’s budget overview, Mayor Trina Jones noted that when budget discussions began, they expected to need to increase property taxes by at least three cents. In the end, they decided to pull some interest out of their realignment funds to save a penny in the affected wards.
“I think it’s worth acknowledging that we heard from the counsellors in the outside wards,” Jones said, “We understand the challenges and difficulties in the rate increase.”
Jones expressed excitement when listing off some of the places money would be going to in the coming year.
The town budgeted $900,000 for paving and designated highway projects, as well as other street and sidewalk upgrades. A total of $300,000 will be allotted to replace some public works equipment. The AYR Motor Centre will be getting some facility upgrades, including improvements to field house lighting, washroom upgrades, replacement of the arena dehumidifier, and possibly upgrades to baseball fields and the outdoor volleyball field. Connell Park and the downtown area are expected to receive some enhancements as well, once their revitalization studies are completed. Potential upgrades to Toughbook tablets in police vehicles and new portable radios are coming. The town is also looking to get portable bleachers and event fencing for community and town-sponsored events. The municipality also intends to get better audio and visual equipment for council meetings.
Many councillors expressed their appreciation to Jennifer Crabbe for her hard work.
“I hate to see an increase at all,” said Councillor Mike Martin, “but I can justify it when you can see the level of service increase. So, that’s my two cents on the two cents!”
Councillors around the table echoed his sentiment.
