Town Presents Preliminary 2027 Capital Budget

The Town of Aylmer has presented its preliminary 2027 Capital Budget, giving Council and the community an early look at major projects being considered for next year and beyond.

The preliminary 2027 Capital and Discretionary Budget is estimated at $10.464 million, plus projects that may carry forward from 2026. The budget is still in the planning stage and will be reviewed and finalized by the next Council later this year.

Priorities for 2027

Town staff have identified five main priorities for 2027:

• Lagoon Optimization Project

• Parks, recreation and trail improvements

• Municipal facility upgrades

• New financial software

• Vehicle replacements and additions

These projects are part of the Town's long-term plan to maintain infrastructure, prepare for growth and continue providing municipal services.

Investing in Infrastructure

One of the largest projects is the continued Lagoon Optimization Project, which will improve the Town's wastewater treatment system. The project will be supported by provincial and federal grants, wastewater reserves and development charge funding.

Road and sidewalk work is also planned. For 2027, the Town is proposing $275,000 for pavement improvements, including work on Fath Avenue, along with sidewalk improvements on sections of South Street. Engineering work is also proposed for a future reconstruction of Pine Street.

Parks, Trails and Recreation

Several parks and recreation improvements are included in the preliminary plan. Proposed 2027 projects include accessible outdoor washroom upgrades, tennis court lighting, Centennial Park improvements and continued trail expansion.

The Town is also planning to extend the multi-use trail from the Willow Run/Rotary Park area to the East Elgin Community Complex (EECC). The project would connect the existing trail system to the EECC and includes a bridge over Catfish Creek.

Planning for Future Costs

The Town expects significant capital investment over the next several years. Projects will need to be funded through a mix of grants, reserves, development charges, user rates, debt and tax-supported contributions.

Starting in 2027, additional contributions to reserves from the tax levy will also be needed to help prepare for future projects that are not funded through water or wastewater rates.

What Happens Next?

The preliminary budget is an early planning document and does not represent final approval of all projects.

The Town's 10-year capital plan is updated each year as costs, priorities and funding opportunities change. The next Council will review the proposed projects, refine the plan and consider the final 2027 Capital and Discretionary Budget for approval later this year.

This early planning helps the Town prepare for upcoming infrastructure needs and identify opportunities for grants and other funding before projects move forward.

Documents

Preliminary 2027 Capital Budget

What We Heard: 2027 Budget Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Town of Aylmer’s 2027 Budget Survey. The survey was open from June 10 to July 29, 2026, and received 325 responses after duplicate submissions were removed. This was about a 20% increase in participation compared with last year’s survey.

The annual survey gives community members an opportunity to share their thoughts on Town services, priorities and areas where they would like to see improvements.

What did we hear?

Overall, maintaining current service levels was the most common choice for every municipal service included in the survey.

The services with the strongest support for increased service levels were:

• Recreation facilities – 42.8%

• Parks and trails – 37.8%

• Winter maintenance – 36.9%

• Roads – 36.6%

When asked about the quality of individual Town services, Fire Services received the highest Good or Very Good rating at 76.6%, followed by Police Services at 72.6% and Garbage/Leaf and Yard Waste Collection at 71.1%.

Community priorities

Participants were also asked to choose up to three areas they believe should be priorities. The top responses were:

• Improving traffic flow and safety – 32.3%

• Increasing housing affordability and supply – 26.8%

• Attracting and supporting businesses – 25.8%

• Developing parks and trails – 23.7%

• Maintaining affordable and sustainable municipal services – 23.7%

Written comments provided additional information about what matters to participants. Roads, traffic and active transportation was the most frequently mentioned theme, followed closely by recreation, parks and community facilities. The Library, taxation and financial management, municipal governance and policing were also common topics.

What happens next?

Survey results will be shared with Town departments to help identify service concerns, emerging priorities and ideas that may be considered in future budgets and planning.

The report will also be provided to the incoming Council at its first 2027 budget meeting. The survey is one source of information that will help inform future discussions, along with financial considerations, Town plans, service information and other forms of public input.

There will be more opportunities for the community to learn about and participate in the 2027 budget process as it moves forward.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their feedback!

Documents

• 2027 Budget Survey Results

Council Decisions Regarding the 2027 Budget Timeline

1. Council receives the report for information about the 2027 budget schedule and process.

2. The current Council will receive preliminary budget information and staff will conduct public engagement prior to the next term of Council.

3. Significant budget consideration, public hearings, and statutory budget decisions will occur when the next term of Council is inaugurated.

2027 Budget Timeline

• May/June 2026 - Approval of 2027 Budget Survey
• June 10 - July 29, 2026 - 2027 Budget Survey Open
• August 12, 2026 - Preliminary Capital Budget Consideration, Preliminary Operating Budget Factors Report, Budget Survey Results
• Early December - Capital Budget PublicHearing and Capital Item Endorsement, Revised Budget Timeline Consideration
• On or before February 1, 2027 - Mayor to Issue Budget Proposal for 2027; Council has 30 days to amend
• Before or during statutory budget period - Preliminary 2027 Operational Budget, Consideration and Public Hearing
• Within statutory period - Final 2027 Budget Amendments; 10 days for Mayot to veto any amendments
• Within statutory period -Deadline for Mayor to Veto Amendments; 15 days for Council to override any vetoes
• Within statutory period - Consider Overriding Any Vetoes with 2/3 Majority; Budget to be deemed adopted following statutory timelines expiry