Wilmot Township completes 2026 budget process

Wilmot Township’s 2026 budget process concluded on February 9, 2026, with the close of Council’s 30-day amendment period. 

The budget was originally tabled on January 9, 2026, by Mayor Natasha Salonen as part of her strong mayor responsibilities. The document was developed in collaboration with Township staff, Council, and financial experts from KPMG following a comprehensive review of historical spending and financial data.

Council introduced several amendments throughout the process, including the removal of a $65,000 duplicate cost in the Mayor and Council budget, the elimination of the 2026 cost‑of‑living increase for Mayor and Council, and a reduction to Council’s development, conferences, and events budget.

Mayor Salonen has indicated her intent not to veto any Council amendments, which means the final property tax increase has been reduced from 9.7 to 9.1%.

The 2026 budget right‑sizes funding for essential municipal services while supporting critical infrastructure upgrades, community facility improvements, road safety initiatives, and ongoing modernization efforts.

Major investments include replacing the HVAC system at the Wilmot Recreation Complex Aquatics Centre, advancing traffic calming initiatives, and undertaking renovations at the St. Agatha Community Centre.

Staff will continue working with KPMG to develop a long‑term financial plan to guide future budgets and provide a clearer multi‑year financial outlook for the Township.

More information is available at www.wilmot.ca/budget.

Quote

Natasha Salonen, Mayor, Township of Wilmot

“This budget reflects a fundamental shift in how Wilmot plans for its future. For the first time this term, Council and the community had the opportunity to provide input before a draft budget was created. We brought in external expertise, implemented zero-based budgeting, and are now undertaking long-term financial planning. The goal is simple: responsible decisions today that ensure stability, transparency, and resilience for our community tomorrow.”

- 30 -

For media inquiries:
Brett O’Reilly | Communications Specialist
brett.oreilly@wilmot.ca | 519-634-8519 ext. 9229