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