This week Southwest Middlesex Council adopted its 2026 Budget, reinforcing its commitment to infrastructure renewal while keeping property taxes stable and competitive. The municipal portion of the tax levy will rise by 4.777 per cent in 2026. When combined with the projected Middlesex County increase, and assuming no change to the education rate, the blended property tax increase is estimated at approximately 4.08 per cent. For homeowners, this represents an annual increase of about $135, or roughly $11.25 per month, per $200,000 of residential assessment.
The 2026 Budget provides for $2.2 million in new capital spending, in addition to $16.6 million in previously approved multi-year infrastructure projects. A substantial share of this investment will fund sanitary and stormwater system upgrades in Glencoe, strengthening reliability, lowering flood risk, and ensuring capacity to accommodate future growth.
Council is also moving forward with servicing the Glencoe Industrial Park, a strategic economic development project aimed at attracting new businesses and broadening the municipality’s assessment base. The servicing approach is designed to be largely self-financing through lot sales and developer contributions, limiting long-term costs to taxpayers.
Over the past 18 months, the Municipality has secured more than $7.5 million in external grant funding for capital initiatives. These funds have helped offset infrastructure expenses and ease pressure on the local tax base.
The budget further responds to inflationary impacts, Asset Management Plan requirements, ongoing public works maintenance, fire and emergency preparedness priorities, and the continued maintenance of municipal facilities.
Council is expected to formally enact the 2026 Budget By-law at its February 18 meeting.
“This budget reflects Council’s focus on protecting essential services while investing in infrastructure that supports growth and safeguards our community,” said Mayor Allan Mayhew. “We are addressing long-standing infrastructure needs while positioning Southwest Middlesex for both long-term success and sustainability.”
Written by: C. Soares