HALDIMAND — New rules under Ontario’s strong mayor powers won’t slow Haldimand County’s budget process, as Council has voted to keep a same-day review and approval timeline.
Under Ontario Regulation 530/22, municipalities operating with strong mayor powers must follow a set process for budget presentation and approval. Normally, once the mayor tables a proposed budget, Council has 30 days to propose amendments, followed by a 10-day mayoral veto period, and a further 15 days for Council to override that veto.
Haldimand County’s staff recommended that all three of these timelines be shortened to zero days to align with local budgeting practices.
The move allows the 2026 Rate Supported Operating Budget and Capital Forecast to be reviewed and approved on the same day – December 4, 2025 – in order to meet the required deadlines for water and wastewater user rates to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Staff cautioned that if the budget were not approved before December 31, 2025, the County would lose revenue due to the postponement of new rates taking effect.
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley previously directed staff to maintain Haldimand’s traditional budget schedule as closely as possible while adapting where required to the strong mayor framework introduced by the province in 2024.
As the 2026 Tax Supported Operating and Capital Budgets will be presented after February 1, 2026, those budgets will follow the County’s standard procedures.
Council voted to approve the recommendation unanimously.
