Have Your Say: Kawartha Lakes invites public input on 2026 budget plans

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Local officials are inviting residents to weigh in on the 2026 municipal budget, with the launch of a new public engagement campaign, titled, Your Budget – Your Say.

Running throughout the month of August, the campaign encourages the community to learn more about how the municipal budget works and to share input on where the City should allocate more, less, or the same amount of funding. Areas under consideration include: road maintenance, health care, community safety, homelessness supports, and more.

“Budgets are about choices,” said Mayor Doug Elmslie. “Council and I want to hear from residents about their priorities. This input will help shape our decisions on the part of the 2026 budget [which] is discretionary. After fixed costs, and the variable costs of delivering 200 services, there is a small part of the budget [which] is discretionary. This can be amended to meet community priorities, as long as taxes remain affordable.”

Residents can participate through an interactive online tool which includes explain-er videos, “Did You Know?” facts. It also has a budget simulator, allowing users to adjust spending, in various service areas involving an additional 1 percent tax levy, and submit their own recommendations.

“I will review your feedback and take it into consideration, as I make recommendations to the Budget Committee,” added Mayor Elmslie. “It’s always a balance between what priorities are requested and what the taxpayer can afford. The online tool is a great way to gather those priorities.”

Deputy Mayor and Budget Committee Chair, Charlie McDonald emphasized the importance of early engagement.

“This campaign gives residents a voice at the very start of the budget process, not just after decisions are made,” said Deputy Mayor McDonald. “We want to build a budget [which] reflects our communities’ values and needs.”

The budget process begins with preparation work, running from June to September of 2025. A draft budget will be presented to the Mayor in October, followed by a Public Budget Meeting on November 12th. At that meeting, residents will have another opportunity to provide feedback before the draft goes to Council for deliberation. The final 2026 municipal budget will be adopted in December.

The Budget Committee has their meetings live streamed, on YouTube, and they are open to the public in Council Chambers. For more information or to participate in the campaign, residents are encouraged to visit www.jumpinkawarthalakes.ca/2026budget or follow the City on social media.