Wellington North unveiled its 2026 budget in December.
Mayor Andy Lennox says he and council and staff are happy they kept the levy increase to 3.16 per cent. He acknowledges that inflation and rising costs make it difficult to come up with a good number that maintains service levels and allows for spending on critical projects.
"Yes there's been more inflation in terms of the cost of capital projects in particular. I don't think it's really that different than in the past, I think the bigger challenge right now is there's so much uncertainty," Lennox shared. "We're trying to prioritize things and recognize that ratepayers don't have an infinite ability to pay. So staff came to council with a proposed budget with a number, I can't remember but I think it was around 4 per cent, and council weighed in and asked staff to go back and make some changes."
For a typical single-family residential property in the township assessed at $271,636, the 3.16 per cent increase will mean an increase of approximately $46.67 in the township portion of the property tax.
The 2026 budget includes a Capital Budget of $8,709,500, funding a variety of projects for the coming year. Key highlights include:
• Reconstruction of Clarke Street between Smith Street and Walton (Arthur) -
$2,662,280
• Arthur Arena score clock - $62,000
• Mount Forest Downtown LED Lighting - $30,000
• Recreation Master Plan update - $75,000
• Upgrades to grounds and equipment at Mount Forest Cemetery - $86,300
• Linear water and wastewater projects in Arthur and Mount Forest – $585,335
• Asphalt resurfacing - $1,405,878
• Sidewalk program - $240,012
Lennox says 2025 featured working on looking into a new well for Arthur to increase water capacity, as well as new storage facilities.
"Again, working through the process of increasing the water supply in the Village of Arthur. So we did and environmental assessment process to look at a new well and new storage facilities," Lennox noted. "The John Street reconstruction in Mount Forest happened, as well as the Main Street resurfacing. There's a new pedestrian crossover in Mount Forest, and then pavement rehabilitation in rural parts of the township."
There will also be more work focused on what should be a "big ticket item" in Arthur according to Lennox.
"We're continuing down the path of working on maintaining that existing infrastructure. But probably the big project if we can finally figure out the last bits and pieces of the financing for it is the Arthur Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade. That's a big ticket item and also one that's really important to accommodate that future growth we've been talking about," said Lennox.
Also, fundraising continues for the new Mount Forest outdoor pool, with the fundraising committee sitting at over $1.13 million at the start of December. Lennox says they're excited with the progress so far.
"We have been making some major progress on that fundraising and the committee is very hopeful that we can get there soon. Residents have identified that they really miss having a pool in Mount Forest and we are working toward making that happen," added Lennox.
The total cost of the new pool is about $5.3 million, with a $2.5 million community fundraising goal. The new pool will be known as the T.D. Smith Aquatic Centre and will be built next to the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex on Princess Street.
