Grey County Council has taken the first step toward finalizing its 2026 budget after two days of in-depth review and debate. The draft spending plan, endorsed at a special budget meeting on December 12, outlines a combined operating and capital budget of $301.9 million and is designed to preserve existing service levels while supporting Council’s long-term strategic priorities.
Along with maintaining current programs, the proposed budget includes several forward-looking investments aimed at meeting evolving community needs. Plans for 2026 include the construction of two new paramedic services bases. One facility is slated for Feversham to better match emergency call demand and response time objectives. Another base is planned for Dundalk, replacing the current shared space used alongside the Dundalk Fire Department.
Funding is also set aside to move forward with the transfer of certain urban Grey County roads to local municipalities, as well as preparatory work for assuming responsibility for select municipal roads to strengthen the overall county road network. Additional investments are planned to ensure the ongoing upkeep of county roads, buildings, and infrastructure.
“Investing in reliable and effective public services, critical infrastructure, and future needs is essential,” said Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs. “After thoughtful discussion and debate, Council has set a direction that ensures we can continue delivering the services residents rely on while also investing in the well-being of our communities today, and into the future.”
If approved, the 2026 budget would require a municipal residential levy of $83,951,800, representing a 4.78 per cent increase over 2025. For the average single detached home in Grey County, this would translate into an annual increase of $59.16.
The budget also reflects several cost pressures beyond the County’s direct control, including continued inflation affecting construction, utilities, supplies, and materials.
Earlier in the process, the Grey County Budget and Finance Committee reviewed the 2026–2035 capital plan in October and examined the draft 2026 operating budget in November. The committee’s recommendations were presented to Council during special budget meetings held on December 5 and December 12. Final approval is expected to be considered through a by-law at the January 8 meeting of Grey County Council.
Grey County provides a wide range of essential services across the region, including operating three long-term care homes, delivering Ontario Works, and overseeing early learning and childcare programs. The County manages nearly 1,000 affordable, rent-geared-to-income housing units, supports 550 non-profit housing units, and delivers more than 10,500 nights of emergency shelter annually. Paramedic services include emergency response, ambulance operations, and community paramedicine initiatives such as the SOS program.
The County also supports local economic growth through business and entrepreneurship programs offered by the Grey County Business Enterprise Centre and the Sydenham Campus. Cultural and heritage services are provided through Grey Roots Museum & Archives, while transportation staff maintain more than 887 kilometres of county roads along with hundreds of bridges and large culverts to keep travel safe year-round.
The draft 2026 budget is available online at grey.ca/budget, where residents can also explore a new interactive tool offering detailed information, visualizations, and mapping features.
