Join the Conversation: 2026 Aylmer Budget Planning

2026 Capital Projects Spotlight: SCADA Upgrades

The Town of Aylmer is continuing to invest in critical infrastructure with planned upgrades to its SCADA system in 2026.

What is SCADA?

SCADA, which stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, is an important tool used to monitor and manage water and wastewater services.

This system works by collecting information from equipment such as pump stations and sending it to a central computer. It can alert staff right away if there is a problem and provides data that helps guide maintenance and system improvements. In simple terms, SCADA helps ensure that essential services continue to run safely and efficiently behind the scenes.

What Work Is Being Done?

The Town’s current SCADA system is outdated, and upgrades have been identified as a high priority for several years. Modernizing this system will improve response times, provide more reliable data, and support better long-term planning for infrastructure maintenance.

How Will This Project Be Funded?

Funding for the project will come from a combination of grant funding and water and wastewater reserves.

Investments like this help ensure Aylmer’s water and wastewater systems remain dependable for residents today and into the future.

2026 Capital Projects Spotlight: South Street Reconstruction

The Town is moving forward with an important construction project on South Street and part of Victoria Street in 2026. This work will help improve underground services, roads, and sidewalks for residents now and in the future.

Construction is expected to begin on May 4, 2026, and is planned to be completed by August 31, 2026.

What Work Is Being Done?

The project includes major upgrades to underground systems. Crews will replace the watermain, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer. This includes both the main pipes and the connections to homes.

Above ground, several improvements will also take place:

• New curb and gutter will be installed along South Street and Victoria Street
• Sidewalks will be replaced on South Street with new 1.5 metre wide paths
• On Victoria Street, sidewalks will be moved to the west side of the road and rebuilt at 1.5 metres wide

South Street East and Victoria Street South Cross Section on South Street

Cross Section on Victoria Street

Trees, Driveways, and Landscaping

Some trees may need to be removed if they are unsafe or in the way of construction. These trees will be replaced with new ones.

Driveways affected by the work will be restored to match their current surface. Any grassed areas disturbed during construction will be repaired with new topsoil and sod.

What to Expect During Construction

Road closures will be in place during construction. Residents will still be able to access their homes, except for short periods when work like trench digging or concrete pouring may temporarily block driveways.

The Town will work to keep disruptions as short as possible and appreciates residents’ patience during this time.

Project Team and Funding

The project consultant is GEI Consultants, and the contractor completing the work is PV-Ex Construction.

The total cost of the project is $2,382,000. Funding will come from grant funding, as well as the Town’s water, sewer, and asset management (AMP) reserves.

2026 Capital Projects Spotlight: Town Hall Upgrades

The Town of Aylmer is planning important repairs to the outside of Town Hall in 2026.

Over time, parts of the building have become worn and need maintenance. This includes the third-floor windows, brickwork, and roofing systems. The clock tower will also receive repairs.

The work will include fixing damaged bricks, repairing mortar between bricks and stone, and replacing all third-floor windows. Crews will also repair fire escapes, replace sealants around windows, and complete painting on parts of the upper building.

Roof work will include replacing sections of the clock tower roof and other roof areas, as well as making repairs to support the structure.

These upgrades will help protect Town Hall, improve safety, and keep the building in good condition for years to come.

Interior Photo of Third Floor - Window and Water Damage
Interior Photo of Third Floor - Window and Water Damage

Design Drawing of Upgrades to Town Hall

2026 Capital Projects Spotlight: Sidewalk Program

Next up in our 2026 Capital Projects Spotlight is the Sidewalk Program.

The Town of Aylmer will be building a new sidewalk along John Street North, from Walnut Street to Beech Street. This project will add about 425 metres of new sidewalk and help connect a missing section in the area.

Work is expected to begin in early May and finish by the end of May.

The project will also include accessible sidewalk ramps. Tree plantings and sod restoration will also occur once construction is complete.

This location is one of the highest-ranked areas in the Town’s sidewalk review system. Completing this section will create a continuous sidewalk and make it easier and safer for residents to walk to nearby businesses.

2026 Sidewalk Location John Street North Sidewalk Design

Tree Removals and Replacements

The Town is planning to replace Truck #22, a 2010 Peterbilt 5-ton dump truck that has been an important part of the Public Works fleet for many years. The truck is equipped with a snowplow, wing plow, and a combination spreader and dump body. This equipment allows staff to plow snow and spread salt or sand during winter storms.

Truck #22 is one of only two trucks in the Town’s fleet that can spread salt and sand, meaning it provides about 50% of the Town’s winter road treatment capability. Public Works staff rely on this truck during snow and ice events to help keep roads safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

The proposed project includes replacing the existing truck with a new vehicle that has similar weight and power, ensuring it can continue to handle the same important work. The estimated budget for the replacement is $400,000.

By replacing aging equipment at the right time, the Town can help ensure staff have reliable tools to maintain roads and respond to winter weather. This investment supports safer travel for residents and helps keep winter operations running smoothly.

The Town of Aylmer’s 2026 Budget is now final.

The final budget results in a 2.62% tax rate impact, which is equal to about $5 more per month for the average household.

Under the strong mayor budget process, the Mayor’s Budget was formally deemed adopted on December 5, 2025, without amendment by Council.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the 2026 budget process, including residents who completed the survey, attended meetings, and followed the discussion. Public input continues to play an important role in helping shape Aylmer’s priorities.

As 2026 moves forward, residents can continue to follow this page for capital project updates and highlights on how budgeted investments are being delivered across the community.

Looking ahead, next year’s budget process is expected to follow a similar pattern, with one important difference: following the 2026 Municipal Election, the incoming Mayor and Council will be the approval authority for the next budget cycle.

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.