Assessment freeze, increased costs mean small tax increase for residents
With less tax funds due to a provincial assessment freeze, increased costs to complete the Day & Ross Community Centre, and the high cost of policing, Hartland is feeling squeezed.
Despite the challenges, Hartland is holding the line on spending to ensure residents get the services they need in 2026.
Treasurer Tina Pelkey presented the municipality’s budget on Nov. 12, explaining what each department is facing.
The town has allocated $1.5 million for infrastructure, including money for roads, bridges, water and sewer upgrades, and facility maintenance.
The town’s Fire Services Budget increased to $600,000, which includes $400,000 for a new fire truck.
The Operations Budget for Recreation and Community Services was increased to cover higher operating costs at the Day & Ross Community Centre, as well as additional funding for events and trails. Administration and other services round out the budget at $870,000, and the RCMP policing contract comes in at $1 million.
Treasurer Pelkey said the town’s expenses increased by $284,200. Most of that came from rising costs in policing, development grants, and solid waste collection.
Pelkey said departments were able to offset that with some cuts, including reducing capital expenditures by $16,000, reducing reserve transfers by $12,000, a drop of $8,000 in Regional Service Commission costs, and a few other administrative changes, which saved them $13,000.
Tax valuation gave them $89,000, and they increased non-tax revenues, such as fine and user cost increases at the Day & Ross Centre, which whittled the shortfall to $41,500.
“After much deliberation,” said Pelkey, “it was decided by council that we would look at a small tax increase.”
Every community in the Hartland municipality will get a one-cent increase on their property tax for 2026.
“That means Hartland moves to a residential tax rate of $1.55, and all other LSDs will now be at 74 cents, while Peel remains at 70 cents.
“Out of the dollars that we had in increased expenses, there’s no more room to cut anymore expenses,” said Pelkey.
“When you are playing with very little numbers, you don’t have a lot of movement.”
