HALDIMAND—Haldimand residents can expect to pay about $12.12 more a month on their residential taxes in 2026 following a 3.74% increase over 2025.
The levy was determined following Haldimand’s third and final budget presentation on February 12, 2026, with the Tax Supported Operating Budget reaching $97.3 million.
County CAO Michael Di Lullo said this budget outlines how the County pays for day-to-day operations, ranging from wages, utilities, and insurance to key public services such as garbage collection, emergency services, recreation facilities and libraries, over 600 acres of parkland and trails, and “much, much more.”
Financial Data and Services Manager Mark Merritt explained the increase.
“At the beginning of the term of council we set the average target to overall residential increase … as an average of 3% at that time. We did note there were several pressures at that time with high inflationary, supply and demand issues, etc., that were really driving our budgets at that time and prior to that as well,” said Merritt. “We knew that was going to be challenging.”
Those challenges led to an increased 3.5% target two years into the current term and ultimately the actual 3.74% increase seen this year. Merritt noted the increase is still much smaller than many municipalities in the province, with Norfolk at 5.5% and some municipalities above 10%.
The 2026 budget saw several “uncontrollable increases,” including a $979,000 increase over 2025 in the $8.8 million OPP contract, which equates to a 1.06% impact on the overall levy.
“There was a lot of work done to get that base budget down to where it is. The expense side is primarily related to inflationary increases on contractual arrangements,” Merritt said, noting that very few non-salary related new initiatives were included.
The comparatively lower tax increase was achieved despite the County struggling to meet its growth target for the year.
“We’re at about 1.83% growth; our target is 2%. This is the first time in five years we’ve been under 2%. Again, that’s another challenge we didn’t anticipate coming into 2026,” said Merritt.
Among the budget’s largest drivers are:
- Roads Operations – $18,216,220
- Emergency Services – $14, 026,470
- Engineering Services – $12,183,860
- Fleet Operations – $9,616,080
- Facilities, Parks, Cemeteries, and Forestry Operations – $8,181,150
- Environmental Operations – $8,111,160
- Grandview Lodge – $4,173,030
Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation
President and CEO of Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation (HNHC) Matt Bowen appeared as a delegate to present HNHC’s budget. Municipal funding for HNHC is split 40% Haldimand to 60% Norfolk.
“We’ve had exponential growth in a lot of areas, but specifically the growth in our capital budget,” said Bowen. “We manage over $112 million in assets and unfortunately they have been underfunded for a very, very long time.”
He highlighted upcoming affordable housing projects in Dunnville, Delhi, and Port Dover, which will drive HNHC’s asset value up to $168 million and increase their affordable housing stock by 20% with 104 new units (56 in Dunnville) when complete.
Bowen said a budgetary increase of $115,000, to be shared between the two counties, will allow the hiring of two new staff members – a first since 2013.
Grand Erie Public Health
Brad Stark, Director of Finance for Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH), spoke about the organization’s milestone year after merging the Brant-Brantford and Haldimand-Norfolk health units on January 1, 2025.
GEPH was kept busy with a significant measles outbreak, a rabies exposure incident, and responding to draft Ontario public health standards that are currently on hold for implementation.
“We’ve also been developing and practicing emergency exercises with our municipalities using a consistent approach as one health unit,” said Stark.
He said GEPH is committed to collaborating with all communities they serve in 2026: “We’ve engaged with our municipal partners to increase information sharing, which includes regular meetings … and we’re developing a multi-year financial forecast to aid in financial planning.”
He shared a slide listing 34 mandatory programs offered by GEPH, including dental programs, food safety, infectious diseases and vaccine administration, and comprehensive school health. He said, “Some are 100% funded by the Ministry of Health, with the rest being cost shared between the Province and our municipal partners.”
For 2026, Haldimand County is responsible for 19.9% of the total municipal funding contribution to GEPH, which equates to about $1.55 million. The rate is determined by an MPAC population count, with Norfolk at 25.47%, Brantford at 39.37%, and Brant County at 15.25%.
Operating Budget Highlights
A pilot project, the Rural Roadside Mowing Program, was adopted into the 2026 budget as a permanent full-time maintenance plan with Council support.
“It’s gone pretty well,” said Public Works Operations Manager Dan McKinnon of the three-year pilot project that saw staff and summer student employees keeping grass trimmed in key spots along County roads. “We’re confident that the place is going to look much better.”
Other key projects highlighted in a County press release for 2026 include:
- Continued funding for the Community Paramedic Program.
- Continued funding for the Physician Recruitment Strategy.
- Operating expenses for the new Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre.
- Developing an Affordable Housing Strategy.
- Creating an Age-Friendly Communities Action Plan.
- Strengthening cybersecurity efforts.
- Maintaining the contract for police services, with an 11% increase over 2025.
- Undertaking a review of all building and planning related fees.
“This budget was developed carefully to meet community needs and minimize the impact on taxpayers. There is a clear focus on maintaining essential infrastructure, supporting the programs and services residents rely on, and planning for the future. I want to thank our staff for their diligence in preparing a budget that is mindful of the current economic climate and prioritizes enhancing quality of life across our communities,” said Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley.
Council approved the 2026 Tax Supported Operating Budget unanimously. To view the full budget, visit haldimandcounty.ca and select the Special Council meeting agenda on February 12 under the ‘Council Meetings’ tab.
