It did not take much for Amherstburg Town Council to approve the Town's budget for 2026.
Following deliberations, councillors signed off on the 2026 spending plan on Tuesday evening, having made no changes to the draft it was presented with.
When the draft budget was first tabled, it had included a proposed property tax increase of eight per cent. The administration, though, had used the time after that to find savings, until the budget submitted to councillors included a 2.86 per cent tax hike.
That translates into an annual increase of $85.13 a year on a home valued at $250,000.
In a letter to residents, Mayor Michael Prue said that despite the increase, Amherstburg remains affordable for property owners.
"By comparison, the municipalities in Windsor-Essex that have tabled or approved their budget to date have an average rate of increase of 3.27 per cent," wrote Prue. "All have similar cost pressures to our own. Our budget meets all of the pillars of Amherstburg’s Community Strategic Plan and will ensure the long-term viability of this wonderful place we call home."
Operating expenditures in the 2026 spending plan come to $65.2-million.
Capital projects include $50,000 from reserves for the Fire Master Plan, $200,000 for sidewalk replacement, and upgrades at the McLeod Sewage Treatment Plant and the Amherstburg Water Treatment Plant.
For a complete rundown of the 2026 budget, visit talktheburg.ca.
-with files from Adelle Loiselle
