2026 Mayor’s Budget Deemed Adopted With 4.72% Tax Increase

The City of Owen Sound’s 2026 Budget, tabled by Mayor Ian Boddy on December 22, 2025, has been deemed adopted without amendments from Council.

The Mayor’s Budget was developed through careful and measured consultation with individual members of Council, the Director of Corporate Services, and the City Manager, in alignment with the Province of Ontario’s implementation of Strong Mayor authorities earlier this year.

The 2026 Budget reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to balancing the cost of delivering essential municipal services with long-term fiscal responsibility. It also continues to advance efforts to narrow the gap between Owen Sound’s residential property tax rate and the Grey County average.

The approved budget focuses on efficiency, responsible asset management, and disciplined spending—while maintaining the core services residents rely on. Despite several development projects breaking ground in 2025, the City did not experience growth in its taxpayer base during the 2026 fiscal year. As a result, the total budget increase for 2026 is 5.5%.

Ultimately, the Mayor’s Budget is a collaborative compromise for all residents of Owen Sound. Our community is made up of a lower median income than many of our comparators, and Mayor Boddy emphasized the need to respect that fact in this process.

Ongoing efforts over the past years to keep tax rates low and remain competitive with neighbouring communities are in place; leadership is tasked with finding the middle ground, and for 2026, this budget is representative of those efforts.

The 2026 Mayor’s Budget includes a total municipal levy of $39 million, representing a 5.2% increase over the previous year. When combined with upper-tier Grey County and the Province of Ontario’s education levies, the total property tax increase for residents is estimated at 4.72%.

The adoption of this budget means that residents can expect an increase of $214 annually, or $18 per month, for the average Owen Sound home assessed at $230,000.

For more information, please contact Kate Allan, Director of Corporate Services at 519-376-4440 ext. 1238 or email kallan@owensound.ca

Quotes:

“This budget reflects a careful balance between maintaining essential services and respecting the financial realities of our community. It’s a responsible compromise that keeps Owen Sound moving forward while remaining mindful of residents on fixed incomes.”

-Mayor Ian Boddy

Quick Links:

• Special Meeting of Council January 16, 2026
• City of Owen Sound Budget and Finance
• 2026 Mayor’s Budget Presentation
• Overview of Strong Mayor Powers