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Leamington budget calls for 2.5% tax increase
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DR. ADRIENNE SYMONS
By Mark Ribble The fourth budget of the current Leamington Council’s term has set a tax increase of 2.5 per cent. The budget, also the first under the Ontario government’s legislated Strong Mayor Powers, was adopted by council as presented at last week’s budget meetings. Mayor MacDonald said that they followed the new provincial guidelines “to a tee” and came up with a budget that council was happy with. Accepting New Patients Leamington’s CAO Peter Neufeld was also happy with the budget, which carries some large capital projCall to book your eye exam ects but also the smallest tax increase for residents since 519-326-8413 2021. 24 OAK ST. E. UNIT 3 “I’m calling this a budget for the future,” he said, “EnLEAMINGTON suring we position ourselves for the growth of Leamington without burdening the current taxpayer.” Neufeld said the biggest item for 2026 will be the start of the Northeast Trunk Sewer Project, thanks to a $41 Care365 Care365 Care365million influx of funding from the province that was anOUR Care365 Care365JOIN Care365 Care365 Care365 Care365nounced this past summer. “This will be a game changer MONTHLY GIVING Care365PROGRAM Care365 Care365for Leamington,” he said. Care365 Care365 Care365 The mayor felt the same about the project. “It’s been Care365 Care365 Care365eight years of lobbying for this project,” she added. “It Care365 Care365 Care365opens industrial growth, which increases tax revenue, Care365 Care365 Care365which will benefit everyone.” Care365 Care365 Care365 That project will get underway along Seacliff Drive Care365 Care365 Care365East in the spring. Care365 Care365 Care365 Besides the North East Trunk Sewer Project, other new Care365 Care365 Care365capital projects for 2026 will be East Marsh Drain dyke Care365 Care365 Care365rehabilitation, aerial fire truck replacement, refrigeration Care365 Care365 Care365 Care365 Care365 Care365plant compressor room replacement at Nature Fresh Care365 Care365 Care365Farms Recreation Centre, E.J. Stockwell Drain, waterCare365 Care365 Care365front parking lot, bridge #4 and a traffic signal at ArmBECAUSE CARE Care365 Care365 Care365strong and Talbot. HAPPENS EVERY DAY Care365 Care365 Care365 At a home assessed at $190,000, the increase will Care365 Care365 Care365amount to around $67 per year. Leamington home asWWW.ESHF.CA Care365 Care365 Care365sessments — and those across the province — continue to use the 2016 MPAC assessment values. Leamington maintains a healthy reserve at $97.3 million — down from the 2025 amount of $112 million.
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At its December 10 budget deliberations meeting, Kingsville Town Council settled on the tax levy for the coming year. The municipal tax increase is 5.9%, which represents an annual increase of $126.07 on the average home in Kingsville. 2.1% of the increase is from a $535,107 increase to the town’s Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) contract related to new,
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province-wide OPP wage contracts outside of council’s control. The overall tax rate increase, when combined with County and Education rates, will be 4%. The municipality faced many budget pressures this year and took steps to reduce costs in other areas, including not filling vacancies in its Planning and Legal departments. The 2026 Kingsville bud-
December 17,
2025 SUN - December
17, 2025
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“There were many challenges in preparing this year’s budget,” said Chief Administrative Officer John Norton. “I want to thank our finance team, our managers, and Mayor and Council for working closely to ensure our 2026 budget respects financial reality while balancing our commitment to creating a thriving, resilient and welcoming town for all residents.”
Letters To Santa
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replace the town’s aging street sweeper. With a current vacancy in the Manager of Parks and Recreation role, Council approved replacing it with a director-level position. They also moved the Communications and Marketing Assistant role from part-time to full-time, understanding the importance of investing in timely communications to residents.
Check out our annual
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get includes $2.6 million for road reconstruction and resurfacing, $1.4 million for bridge replacements and rehabilitations, $270,000 for sidewalk replacements, $619,000 in increased contributions to road, bridge, facility, and park and fleet lifecycle reserves to address historical funding deficits. The budget calls for $1.2 million to replace Engine 122, a key fire response vehicle, and $625,000 to
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SANTA VISITS LEGION BRANCH 188
With Christmas just around the corner, families came to the Kingsville Legion Branch 188 this past Sunday to play some games, sip on some hot chocolate, devour some cookies and kindly ask Santa to drop off a special gift on the eve of December 24th. A couple of cousins, both three years of age, were excited to sit on Santa’s lap with their requests. On the left, hoping for a fire truck, is Lucas Badder. Beside Lucas is Bennett Darbison, dreaming of a monster truck to play with on Christmas morning. SUN photo by Paul Forman
Kingsville Council sets budget for 2026
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2025 Wishing You Every Happiness This Thank you to all Christmas. the Chamber membe the sponsors and rs, the community for a wonderful 2025 and wishing everyo ne a prosperous and healthy 2026.
Happy Holidays from Wendy, Ursula and the LDCC Board of Directors
318 Erie St. S.,
Leamington
519.32Leam 6.2ingto n 721
318 Erie St. S.,
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