Belleville approves 2026 Budget Guideline to limit tax increase to 5% in a 5-3 vote

As recommended by the Finance Committee on August 7th, the proposed 2026 Operating Budget Guidelines are as follows:

1. That the 2026 Draft Operating 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;
2. That the 2026 Draft Operating Budget consider the service areas prioritized through public input received;
3. That City Department operating issues presented in the 2026 Draft Operating 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
4. That the 2026 Draft Operating Budget incorporate a moderate increase in its tax-funded contributions to capital projects in alignment with the financial strategy outlined in the 2025 Asset Management Plan.

The guidelines were in part based on two resident surveys: Capital and Operating spending priorities (May to June 2025) and Capital Budget and 10 Year Capital Plan Feedback (October to November 2025).

[The report] breaks down the needed tax bump to cover the city’s expected one per cent increase for in-house expenses accompanied by roughly four per cent in other increases to pay down commitments to the city’s Asset Management Plan as well as social service costs exacted by external agencies such as Hastings County and Belleville Police.

The Intelligencer