Tay Valley Township Media Release - 2026 Budget

Tay Valley Township Approves 2026 Budget under New Strong Mayor Powers: Township in Good Financial Position, Budget Increase mainly due to OPP Costs.

On November 25^th, 2025, the 2026 budget was deemed adopted.

The $10,125,692 million operating and $2,013,790 million capital budget includes strategic investments that enhance daily life and plan for long-term growth. Of this amount, just under $8.1 million is derived from municipal taxation, with other funds derived from long term reserves, development charges, provincial and federal grants, user fees, and other sources.

Operating

The total 2026 tax requirement of $8,071,043 is $451,703 more than was required in 2025. 

The 5.29% tax rate increase represents an approximate increase of
$100 on a residential property assessed at $300,000.

The Township has also seen growth in the assessment base which equates to 0.64% or $49,075.

The biggest operational increase is a result of the OPP Contract increase.  If not for the OPP increase, the tax rate increase would have been 1.78%.

The 5.29% is comprised of:

• 4.15%   ($316,493) for OPP contract increase
• 0.85%   ($64,420) for operational increases, and
• 0.93%   ($70,790) for allocations to reserves for future needs/capital replacements
• 5.93%   ($451,703) Levy Increase
• (0.64%)  ($49,075) Assessment Growth
• 5.29%   Total Tax Rate Increase

Capital

The Township is planning for its future capital needs by continuing to invest into its reserves.  Increases in reserve contributions continue to help the Township fund infrastructure gaps and cover increasing costs due to inflation.  These increases in reserves will help fund future roads projects, fleet and equipment, bridges, buildings, recreation, and other mandated projects.  In 2026 $1,978,994 will be placed into reserves, this is $70,790 more than in 2025.

Highlights of Tay Valley’s approximate $2.01 million-dollar infrastructure renewal and replacement program includes the following for 2026:

Road and Bridge Projects - $1,023,144

Hard Surfaced:

• Upper Scotch Line – pavement preservation
• Old Brooke Road – reconstruction
• Brooke Valley Road – reconstruction

Gravel:

• Bathurst 5^th Concession – maintenance gravel Highway 511 to Harper Road
• Bathurst 6^th Concession – maintenance gravel Highway 511 to Harper Road
• Bathurst 9^th Concession - maintenance gravel Boundary Road to Fallbrook Road
• Cook’s Road – maintenance gravel Highway #7 to Old Brooke Road
• Long Lake Road - maintenance gravel Narrows Lock Road to Long Lake Route 2
• Miner’s Point Road - maintenance gravel Narrows Lock Road to Bass Bay Road
• Kelford Road North – road closure
• Kelford Road South – road closure

Bridges:

• Bowes Side Road Bridge – engineering design confirmation

Vehicles and Equipment Replacement Projects - $228,800

• Replace 2016 Ford F-550

Building and Property Projects - $115,196

• Bathurst Garage – CO detector and update overhead hoist and trolley
• Burgess Garage - update overhead hoist and trolley
• Municipal Office – wayfinding signage and paint interior walls
• Maberly Rink Shed – replace windows and exterior man door
• Maberly Hall – install exhaust fans in kitchen and wayfinding signage
• Sand Sheds – moisture protection

 Recreation Projects - $26,750

• Forest Trail Park – signage, energy node
• Black Lake Unopened Road Allowance – land survey

Environmental Projects - $65,000

• Additional Compactor at the Glen Tay Waste Site
• H. Mather Municipal Drain
• Glen Tay Waste Site new wells – provisional item (as needed basis)

Mandated and Committed Projects - $544,900

• Official Plan – Growth Management
• Zoning By-Law Five Year Update
• Economic Development and Tourism Action Plan
• Harassment Policy Update
• Operations Layout for Waste Site
• Asset Management Plan (AMP)
• FCM Municipal Office Retrofit Feasibility Study
• New Financial System (ERP)

For further information please visit https://www.tayvalleytwp.ca/BudgetandFinancialReports/

For further information about the budget contact:
Rob Rainer, Reeve
Tay Valley Township
217 Harper Road, Perth, ON, K7H 3C6
reeve@tayvalleytwp.ca