Wellington County, Ont.- At today’s Council meeting, Wellington County Council adopted its 2026 budget with a 3.6% increase to the County portion of property taxes.
"County Council has approved a budget that invests in community priorities and critical infrastructure, while maintaining core services and programming,” said Warden Chris White. “County Council is committed to balancing affordability with long-term financial stability.”
Highlights of the 2026 Budget include:
- $58.3 million in roads capital infrastructure and public works facilities including the construction of the new public works garage in Erin (2026), funding for the reconstruction of four bridges on Wellington Road 109 in Arthur (2026) and the reconstruction of Main Street in Palmerston (Wellington Road 123) in partnership with the Town of Minto over the next three years.
- $4.9 million capital investment towards projects that improve road safety and measures to manage speed utilizing funds from the trial automated speed enforcement programme
- Creation of 46 new child care spaces at the Mount Forest (31) and Wellington Place (15) Child Care and Learning Centres, supported by the Government of Canada
- $10.6 million in capital repairs and enhancements within the County’s social and affordable housing units
- Increased funding for homelessness prevention and support including additional rent supplement units and an enhanced winter response plan to house a higher number of individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- Improvements to ambulance service through the addition of nine new positions, including eight new paramedics to support increased call volumes and to improve response times
- Additional resources for nursing and resident care at the Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home, supported by the Government of Ontario.
- Recycling collection for businesses in the County’s downtown areas
“As the impacts of inflation and rising costs continue to impact everyone, the County strives to balance affordability with the service needs of our growing community,” commented Earl Campbell, Administration, Finance and Human Resources Committee Chair. “The 2026 budget protects core services, and makes significant investments in roads infrastructure and safety, child care, housing, long term care, and solid waste services.”
The County has a responsible and sustainable financial plan which helps ensure that it maintains its AAA credit rating.
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Media Contact:
Ken DeHart, County Treasurer
519.837.2600 x 2920
kend@wellington.ca