Join the Conversation: 2026 Aylmer Budget Planning

The Town of Aylmer has released the Mayor's 2026 Budget for Council's consideration, marking the next step in the Town's annual budget process.

• Report FIN 22-25 - Final Mayor's Budget 2026 - Staff Report
• Final Operating Budget 2026
• Final Capital Budget 2026
  • Appendix A - 10 Year Capital Budget 2026
  • Appendix B - 2026 to 2030 Capital Funding Summary

The Mayor included the following message in the budget:

Our community continues to grow because people see Aylmer as a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Every dollar matters to Aylmer families, and this budget reflects our shared commitment to keeping our town affordable and strong. It has taken a team effort to present a responsible 2026 Budget that maintains essential services, invests where it counts, and keeps the impact on households moderate.

Despite inflation and rising costs faced by municipalities across Ontario, this budget holds Aylmer’s residential tax rate increase to under 3%, being about 5 dollars a month on average. This responsible result protects services while respecting household budgets.

Aylmer’s growth helps us manage costs. As new homes and businesses join our community, they share in paying for services, which helps keep the impact on existing taxpayers moderate. This is the approach we have directed staff to take: spend wisely, find efficiencies, and use assessment growth so that growth helps pay for growth.

The 2026 Budget also makes practical investments in our town’s infrastructure. We are investing in core infrastructure, like our sidewalks, Town Hall, and outdoor pool, because these are the things residents rely on and value. These projects improve safety, extend asset life, and supports recreation for families. These projects and the Town’s operating plans align with the priorities that we continue to hear through our annual budget surveys and engagement; enhance parks and recreation service levels while keeping costs manageable.

This budget builds on the progress Council has made over the past three years, advancing long-term financial stability and the next stage of community growth, while ensuring that future Councils can continue to build on a solid foundation. It reflects months of careful work with Council, the Finance Committee, and staff, along with essential input from residents through surveys, town halls, and our public meetings. We remain committed to open communication and transparency so residents can clearly see how their tax dollars are put to work.

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared ideas. Together, we’re showing that Aylmer can grow responsibly, plan wisely, and remain one of Ontario’s most welcoming small towns.

Next Steps in the Budget Process

Under Ontario's strong mayor framework, Council now has 20 days to review and consider amendments to the Mayor's Budget.

• Council Meeting - November 19, 2025 and December 3, 2025: Consideration of any amendments from Council
• Mayor's Veto Period: December 4, 2025
• Final Council Meeting - December 17, 2025: Consideration of any veto overrides (if applicable)

Once the legislative timeline concludes, the 2026 Budget will be deemed adopted following the final Council meeting.

Finance Committee Reviews 2026 Budget Plans

The Finance Committee met on November 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at 25 Centre Street to review the 2026 Budget plans.

At the meeting, the Committee:

• Approved the 2026 Community Grants in the amount of $53,400.

• Endorsed the conversion of the part-time Community Programming Assistant role to a new full-time Community Recreation and Culture Programmer position, with an anticipated start date of January 2026.

• Received the 10-Year Capital Budget as information.

• Received a report on local taxation and affordability concerns for information.

Next Steps in the 2026 Budget Process

• November 13, 2025: The Mayor will issue the 2026 Budget Proposal. Council will have 20 days to review and amend the proposal.

• November 19, 2025: Council will confirm final amendments to the 2026 Capital/Discretionary Plan.

• December 3, 2025: Council will review and discuss amendments to the 2026 Operational Budget. A final meeting will be held if additional time is needed to approve the full budget.

• December 15, 2025: Deadline for the Mayor to veto any amendments.

• December 17, 2025: Council may consider overturning any vetoes with a two-thirds majority vote. The 2026 Budget will be deemed adopted following this meeting.

Finance Committee Reviews 2026 Budget Plans

The Finance Committee held a public meeting on October 1, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at 25 Centre Street to review the Preliminary 2026 Operating Budget.

At the meeting, the Committee:

• Acknowledged the proposed operating budget and asked staff to bring back the final version for Council to review and approve at a later meeting.

• Reviewed and approved the 2026 Water and Wastewater Rates. These will be confirmed by by-law at the October 15, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.

• Received the 2026 Capital and Discretionary Budget for information.

Although the public was invited to share input on these items, no one attended to speak and no letters were received.

Councillor Desrosiers introduced a motion to make the 2026 Outdoor Pool Liner and Pool Upgrade Project a priority for funding under a provincial grant program through the Ministry of Sport and Recreation. The motion also directed staff to:

• Prepare a draft grant application,

• Collect letters of support from community partners, and

• Delay final decisions on the timing of the project until after the Province announces funding results in January 2026.

The Committee voted in favour of this motion.

The next Finance Committee meeting will take place on November 6, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at 25 Centre Street. At this meeting, the Committee will consider grant requests, discuss the final capital and discretionary spending plans, and review the full operating budget.

Public Meeting: 2026 Operating Budget, 2026 Capital Budget, 2026 Water and Wastewater Rates

At the October 1, 2025 meeting of Council, it is anticipated that the Town of Aylmer Council will consider a draft version of the operating budget, the capital budget, and water and wastewater rates for 2026.

How can you participate?

• Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the public meeting.
• Comments may be submitted electronically to finance@town.aylmer.on.ca
• Written comments can be physically dropped off at Town Hall, 46 Talbot Street West, N5H 1J7.

Date and Time: Wednesday October 1, 2025, 6:00 p.m.

Location: Town of Aylmer Council Chambers, 25 Centre Street, Aylmer

For mor information, please see the Town of Aylmer website at www.aylmer.ca/budget

NOTICE DATED: September 17, 2025

Notice provided pursuant to the Town of Aylmer By-Law 29-19

Town of Aylmer Shares What Residents Think for the 2026 Budget

The Town of Aylmer asked residents to give their ideas about the 2026 town budget. Here's what they found:

• 271 people answered the survey this year. It’s the fifth year the town has done this.

What Do People Want?

Most respondents want to keep services the same or make them better rather than cut any.

Here’s what got the most attention:

1. Parks, Trails, and Recreation

   • People want better and more beautiful parks, more trails, and better places to play, swim, or be active.

   • Many wrote about pools, green spaces, playgrounds, and more activities, including things like pickleball, tennis, and dog parks.

2. Roads and Traffic

   • Many said the roads and traffic need improvement.

   • Suggestions included fixing potholes, improving traffic safety, upgrading street lights, and possibly adding a bypass road near Talbot Street.

3. Library Options

   • Some people talked about expanding the downtown library or moving it to the East Elgin Community Complex.

4. Affordability and Budgets

   • A few mentioned that managing the budget carefully and keeping taxes from going up too much is important.

5. Safety and Law Enforcement

   • Some said it would be good to see more police presence, better enforcement of parking and property rules, and an overall focus on safety.

How Residents Shared Their Ideas

• Open-ended answers let people share their ideas in their own words. The most talked-about topics were:

  • Parks & recreation (82 mentions)

  • Roads & traffic (56 mentions)

  • Pools & aquatic spaces (32)

  • Library ideas (30)

There was also another playground survey at the same time, where 266 people shared ideas about places like Centennial Estates and Lions Park. Some people may have felt “survey fatigue” because of so many surveys happening at once.

What's Next

• The survey showed that social media and the town’s website are the best ways to let people know about this kind of news.

• The Town is planning to post updates and answers to common questions on social media and the “Get Involved” page.

• Town Council and staff will use these survey results when they make budget decisions for 2026.

Why It Matters

• The survey helps officials understand what residents care about—like better parks, safer roads, and strong libraries.

• It shows the Town is listening to the community and planning for the future in a way that fits what people want.

• Even though not everyone had the chance to take part, the results give a good idea of what many residents think is important.

Resources

• 2026 Budget Survey Results Staff Report
• 2026 Budget Survey Response Report

Finance Committee Reviews Preliminary 2026 Capital Plan - September 3, 2025

The Town of Aylmer has shared its preliminary capital budget plan for 2026. This is a first draft of how the Town will spend money on important projects and how it may pay for them.

What's happening next?

The Finance Committee is talking about this plan now and will share a final version later this fall for approval.

Why the Plan Matters

Every year, Aylmer must create and approve a budget that covers things like infrastructure, equipment, and town services. This helps the town figure out how much money to raise through taxes and fees.

This time, the proposed 2026 budget is about $8.4 million—plus a bit more money carried over from 2025.

Big Projects for 2026

Here are the main projects the town is planning:

1. SCADA and Lagoon Upgrades – Important updates for water systems.

2. Parks & Recreation Improvements – Especially pool and trail projects.

3. Town Hall Facelift – Fixing the roof, brickwork, and windows of this symbolic building with a clock tower.

4. South Street Makeover – Rebuilding the road, sidewalks, and underground utilities.

5. New Operations Vehicle – Replacing an aging salt-and-spread truck used in winter.

6. Trail Expansion – Building a new trail and bridge to connect paths in the town.

There are also plans to hire experts to study water and wastewater rates, and development charges—making sure the town has a good plan for future funding.

How It Will Be Paid For

Some projects will be paid with grants and special reserves. But starting in 2026, the town will need to use more money from property taxes to refill reserves for future repairs and projects.

What’s Next?

• Town staff are asking Council to review and discuss the budget now, and give feedback.

• They hope to approve it in principle soon so that project bids can start off strong.

Resources

• Preliminary Capital Budget 2026 Staff Report
• Capital Plan 2026-2036
• Draft 2026 Budget
• 2026 Capital Funding Summary

Council Decisions Regarding the 2026 Budget Timeline

1. Council receives the report for information about the 2026 budget schedule and process.

2. Council agrees to shorten key decision timelines, if the proposed budget is published on November 13, 2025:

   • The time for Council to make changes to the budget is reduced from 30 days to 20 days.

   • The time for the Mayor to veto changes is reduced from 10 days to 1 day.

   • The time for Council to overturn a veto is reduced from 15 days to 12 days.

3. These changes will help the Town keep its usual timeline and allow the budget to be finalized at the December 17, 2025 Council meeting.

2026 Budget Timeline

• June 18, 2025 – Finance Committee approves the draft budget survey.

• Mid-July to Mid-August 2025 – Public can complete the budget survey online.

• September 3, 2025 – Finance Committee holds a meeting to:

  • Review capital budget ideas.

  • Hear from the public.

  • Review budget survey results.

• September 2025 (Date TBD) – Mayor hosts a town hall to gather more public input.

• October 1, 2025 – Finance Committee reviews the draft operating budget and holds a public hearing.

• November 5, 2025 – Final Finance Committee meeting.

• November 13, 2025 – Mayor officially presents the proposed 2026 budget.

• November 14 – December 3, 2025 – Council has 20 days to propose changes to the budget.

• December 4, 2025 – Mayor has 1 day to veto any of Council’s changes.

• December 5 – December 17, 2025 – Council has 12 days to vote on overriding any mayoral vetoes (requires a 2/3 majority).

• December 17, 2025 – Budget is expected to be finalized and adopted.