2026 draft operating budget survey closes Feb. 18

The City of Belleville is now seeking final comments and feedback on the Draft 2026 Operating Budget. The special council agenda containing the proposed operating budget documents and departmental plans has been posted online and is now available for public review.

Residents are encouraged to review the documents and take the online survey by Feb. 18 to have their say:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5VSKT8W

Survey results will be provided to Council for consideration prior to the Operating Budget Special Council meeting on Feb. 25.

Those who require accessibility supports to fully participate in the survey are asked to contact [email protected] so that appropriate arrangements can be made. For more information on the budget and budget process, visit: Belleville.ca/Budget.

Survey questions

In the summer, the City solicited your input to assist with the development of the 2026 operating budget. This input helped shape the following budgetary guidelines that were approved by Council:

• The budget be presented with overall residential property tax rate increases not to exceed 5%, excluding any tax rate increases generated from the 2024 Fire Master Plan phase-in approved by Council;
• The budget considers the service areas prioritized through public input received;
• That City Department operating issues presented in the budget align with the strategic themes and initiatives outlined in the City’s Strategic Plan and Departmental Operating Plans, with priority given to those categorized as Legislative, Compliance, or Health & Safety and Maintenance of Service Levels, and where any Enhancement of Service Levels are proposed, that they align with public input received; and
• The budget incorporates a moderate increase in its tax-funded contributions to capital projects in alignment with the financial strategy outlined in the 2025 Asset Management Plan.

What is your tax billing area?

• Belleville Urban
• Belleville Rural
• Cannifton Urban
• Cannifton Rural
• Cannifton Rural to Urban

Given the significant budget pressures the City is facing in 2026, affecting its ability to fully meet the tax rate increase guideline, how well do you feel the draft operating budget aligns with the City’s broader budgetary guidelines, including:

• Incorporating moderate tax-funded increases to capital contributions, consistent with the City’s 2025 Asset Management Plan?
• Reflecting the service areas prioritized through public input;
• Aligning with strategic themes and initiatives, with priority placed on legislative, compliance, health and safety; and

• Very well
• Moderately well
• Neutral
• Not very well
• Not well at all

Please expand.

Included in the Operating Budget are changes to the tax levy from the 2025 approved Operating Budget. These changes include:

• Adjustments to the base budget (Section B), such as contractual obligations and inflationary impacts needed to maintain current service levels.
• New requests and/or budgetary increases from City Boards and external agencies (Sections D1 to D3).
• New requests, budgetary increases, and tax‑relief measures proposed by City Departments (Sections D4 to D7).

Are you generally satisfied with these proposed operating changes?

• Yes
• No (please expand)

In your opinion, what changes or improvements would you suggest for the 2026 operating budget to better meet the needs of the community?

• None
• Comment

The City has released Departmental Operating Plans and a Budget Summary that detail each department’s roles, responsibilities, recent accomplishments, 2026 initiatives and key performance indicators (KPIs). These KPIs have been compiled into a dashboard for convenient review, accessible online.

Are there any additional KPIs you believe would be beneficial for the community?

• No
• Yes (please expand)

Are there any specific topics surrounding the City’s operating budget and process that you wish you had more information and background on?

• No
• Yes (please expand)