Mayor’s 2026 Budget reduces proposed tax increase while protecting essential services

Mayor’s 2026 Budget reduces proposed tax increase while protecting essential services and prioritizing roads 

BRANTFORD ON: Today Mayor Kevin Davis released the City of Brantford’s proposed 2026 Mayor’s Budget, delivering a significantly lower property tax increase than originally proposed while preserving key services and responding directly to resident priorities. By prioritizing affordability, the Mayor’s Budget helps reduce the tax burden while investing in the services and infrastructure residents value most. Under the initial staff proposed budget presented in December 2025, Brantford residents faced a 5.81 per cent overall property tax increase. The Mayor’s 2026 Budget reduces that increase to 4.22 per cent, including all external agencies, and lowers the City-controlled City services portion of the increase from 5.17 per cent to 2.6 per cent. 

This budget is designed with a strong focus on affordability and strikes a careful balance,” said Mayor Davis. “It reduces the tax burden on residents, safeguards the essential services that our community relies on every day, and directs our capital investments toward the priorities residents have consistently told us matter most with an emphasis on improving and maintaining our roads.”

Lower Impact for the average homeowner

For the average residential taxpayer, the Mayor’s Budget reduces the originally proposed annual tax increase from $229.02 to $166.26, a savings of more than $61 per year, or roughly $5 per month, compared to the initial staff proposed budget. Overall, the Mayor’s Budget achieves $3.63 million in savings and adjustments without eliminating critical services.

Key services preserved

While reducing the overall tax increase, the Mayor’s Budget maintains important service enhancements, including:

• Continued investment in public transit improvements
• Operational funding for the new Shellard Lane Library Branch

“These services support mobility, access, and quality of life,” added Mayor Davis. “Cutting them would have undermined facilities and services the City has already invested in.”

The Mayor’s Budget also reflects a more realistic approach to revenue forecasting, responding to the City’s pattern of large annual operating surpluses. “Consistently generating multi-million-dollar surpluses may look safe, but it also means residents are paying more than necessary,” said Mayor Davis. “This budget restores balance while maintaining safeguards against deficits.”

Roads identified as top capital priority 

Public engagement through the City’s 2026 Budget Engagement Campaign identified road conditions as the top priority for residents.

In response, the Mayor’s Budget:

• Doubles investment in road resurfacing
• Pauses the expansion of splash pad installations
• Defers projects that cannot proceed due to external approvals

“Roads affect every resident, every day,” said Mayor Davis. “This budget reflects that reality.”

Furthermore, a one-time $4.3 million WSIB rebate has been allocated responsibly to strengthen the City’s financial position. These funds are being used to support key Human Resources functions and to establish a new Tax Stabilization Reserve, which will help stabilize tax increases over the next five years. The budget also includes a recommendation to reinstate annual Value for Money audits of select departments to strengthen accountability.

Under the Strong Mayor provisions of the Municipal Act, Council may amend the Mayor’s Budget at a special meeting scheduled for January 21, 2026. Mayor Davis will formally present the budget publicly and answer questions from Council at that time.

The Mayor has indicated he will retain his statutory authority to veto Council amendments, except with respect to the Tax Ratio Reduction Policy, to ensure fiscal certainty and stability. “The goal is a transparent, disciplined, and responsible budget that respects taxpayers while meeting the needs of a growing city,” said Mayor Davis.

The Mayor’s 2026 Budget Report can be accessed online at brantford.ca/Mayor2026Budget.