2026 City Services Budget demonstrates fiscal responsibility while supporting a growing community

BRANTFORD, ON: Following yesterday’s meeting of the Estimates Committee, the City of Brantford has confirmed the Year 3 City Services portion of the 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets demonstrating a disciplined, fiscally responsible approach that maintains essential services while planning for the community’s future.

As part of the current multi-year budget initially adopted in 2024, Council is required annually to validate and confirm the next year of the four-year plan. For 2026, City staff presented a City Services operating budget that comes in below the previously established Year 3 target, reflecting careful cost management, strategic use of reserves, and efficiency gains across departments.

The 2026 base City Services operating budget is confirmed at 3.71% after assessment growth, which is lower than the 3.80% target set at the beginning of the 2024 - 2027 multi-year budget cycle. This disciplined approach was achieved despite lower-than-expected assessment growth, increased benefit premiums, inflationary impacts, and labour-related pressures. In 2025, Council approved the Transit Optimization Strategy that included investments in Public Transit to be implemented in phases. With the addition of phase 2 Transit Service Enhancements approved by Council in 2025, the 2026 City Services operating budget is confirmed at 4.66% after assessment growth.

Through a detailed review of second-quarter financial trends, staff identified meaningful savings including reductions in winter control and organic processing costs, higher revenues from parking and landfill tipping, and increased interest revenues, which allowed the City to mitigate unforeseen cost pressures without compromising current service levels.

The 2026 operating budget includes the funding to support the new Southwest Community Centre and Park that is anticipated to be operational by the fall of 2026, along with additional investments for the Shared Social Services budget to maintain current service levels while supporting increased caseloads and a growing housing portfolio.

The 2026 City Services capital budget totals $165.4 million, funded responsibly through development charges, reserves, grants, the Canada Community Building Fund, and carefully managed debt, well within Council’s debt-servicing limits. More than 75% of capital projects remain on track, with adjustments made only where escalating construction costs or staffing constraints required shifting timelines. Significant capital investments in 2026 include a new affordable housing build at 687 Colborne Street, the general rehabilitation of the Lorne Bridge, and the redevelopment of the Earl Ave Operational Services facility. Capital funding is also included to address the nitrate issue in source water to finalize the design and Municipal Class EA to construct a Reverse Osmosis Process at the Water Plan. A total of $13M is planned to invest in Road Restoration and Rehabilitation, and a further $26M is being invested in the Downtown Infrastructure Revitalization and Renewal Program.

“Ensuring Brantford remains affordable while continuing to grow is a central priority of Council,” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Michael Bradley. “The staff recommended 2026 City Services Budget reflects a disciplined, financial approach meeting community needs, modernizing transit, and responsibly planning while keeping the City portion of the budget increase below forecast. This reflects our continued commitment to strong fiscal stewardship.”

On December 1, 2025, the Estimates Committee will consider budgets submitted by local boards and agencies. Following the completion of all Estimates reviews, the Mayor’s Proposed Budget will be released on January 9, 2026. Residents are encouraged to learn more at brantford.ca/CityBudget.

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Maria Visocchi Director, Communications, Community Engagement and Customer Service
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca

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