County Council has wrapped up three days of deliberations that helped inform the 2026 municipal budget that Mayor Steve Ferguson will present in January 2026, in accordance with the process outlined in the Municipal Act under the strong mayor powers and duties.

"We understand that many in our community are struggling financially and face uncertainty in the year ahead," Mayor Ferguson says. "Together as a group, Council worked to reduce the impact on our residents while continuing to deliver high-quality services and invest in critical infrastructure as outlined in our Asset Management Plan."

The tax-supported operating budget of $87.7 million -- $56.8 million raised through taxation -- will fund the delivery of services such as road and bridge maintenance, garbage pick-up, policing, recreational programs, emergency services, libraries, museums, community services, and long-term care.

The proposed 2026 budget funded by municipal taxes requires a rate increase of 3.59 per cent. This increase will result in a homeowner paying an additional $37.73 annually, or $3.15 monthly, per $100,000 of assessed home value.

The capital budget of $22.6 million for 2026 will pay for road repair, construction, and replacement and the equipment to support that work, a land ambulance, and improvements to several recreation amenities and municipal properties.

Road reconstruction and rehabilitation highlights

The proposed 2026 capital budget dedicates $14 million to road reconstruction and rehabilitation. That total includes a $4.5 million investment in rehabilitation and preventative maintenance on 53 km of rural roads, $874,000 more than 2025.

The following road reconstruction projects are included in 2026 capital budget:

• Barker Street in Picton from Downes Avenue to Johnson Street
• Bowery Street from Barker Street to King Street and from Mary Street south to the end
• County Road 3 from near Campbell's Orchards west for 2 km

Additional highlights from the proposed 2026 budget include:

• $400,500 to support the ongoing recruitment and retention of family physicians to practice in Prince Edward County. Learn more about this initiative on the County Doc recruitment and retention website.
• Funding for community groups and activities including:
  • Prince Edward Fitness and Aquatic Centre ($150,000)
  • Community grants under $15,000 ($149,058). This program is administered by The County Foundation
  • TheROC Youth Centre ($90,000)
  • Prince Edward Learning Centre Tax Program ($80,000)
  • $78,793 to support the work of the ward recreation committees
  • Community Care for Seniors ($64,890)

Municipal Financial Relief Program continues

The Municipal Financial Relief Program to support low-income households in Prince Edward County will continue in 2026. Council set aside $473,000 for the program. This is an income-tested program that provides relief to low-income households through credits on municipal tax and water bills. The 2026 eligibility criteria and grant amounts will be announced in early 2026 and are expected to align closely with the 2025 criteria (available here).

Water and wastewater budgets

Council also considered the water and wastewater capital budget of $6.5 million and the operating budget of $12.7 million. The water and wastewater budget is supported entirely by rates; no property taxes go toward water and wastewater services. The water and wastewater rates for the period of 2022-2026 were approved through a Council by-law in 2021.

The 2022-2026 Water and Wastewater Rate Study sees all capital improvements funded by debt. Debt payments are included in the water and wastewater operating budgets.

A Water and Wastewater Rates Community Working Group has been established to help inform the water and wastewater rates for 2027 - 2031.

Delivering for Today; Planning for Tomorrow -- Draft 2026 budget now available for review

The County of Prince Edward's draft 2026 budget focuses on investing in key infrastructure and delivering vital services that contribute to a thriving and vibrant community.

"This budget represents more than numbers on a page – it is a reflection of our shared priorities, values, and vision for the future of our community," Mayor Steve Ferguson says. "We know that every dollar matters. That’s why Council and staff are working diligently to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to make meaningful progress on the priorities that the community has identified for us, including roads, parks, and recreation facilities."

The draft 2026 tax-supported operating budget is $90.9 million, of which $60.0 million will be raised through the tax levy. Property taxes are the County's largest source of revenue and represent approximately 67 per cent of the revenue it receives.

The tax levy increase of 11 per cent (9.3 per cent after factoring in assessment growth) over 2025 is broken down as follows:

• 3.7 per cent (2 per cent after factoring in assessment growth) to maintain the same level of service the municipality delivers to the community every day. The main factors driving this increase are negotiated increases in wages and staff benefits, inflationary growth in fuel, utilities, insurance, and contract costs, continued supply chain challenges, and rising prices for construction, materials, and supplies. This increase will result in a homeowner paying an additional $34.08 annually, or $2.84 monthly, per $100,000 of assessed home value.
• 7.3 per cent for capital infrastructure investments. These additional funds will help ensure the municipality is properly funding the maintenance, renewal, and replacement of its core assets, like roads, buildings, parks, vehicles, and equipment. This increased investment follows the recently Council-approved Asset Management Plan, which set service levels and a long-term financial plan. This increase will result in a homeowner paying an additional $67.20 annually, or $5.60 monthly, per $100,000 of assessed home value.

In total, the tax levy increase will result in a homeowner paying approximately an additional $101.30 ($8.44 monthly) per $100,000 of assessed home value.

The draft 2026 capital budget identifies $22.8 million of new direct investment in community infrastructure, including $14 million for roads reconstruction and rehabilitation. The draft capital plan will help make the municipal assets that the community relies on every day -- such things as parks, municipal facilities, and fire equipment -- better, safer, and more enjoyable.

Click here to view the complete draft 2026 operating and capital budgets. If you require the budget in an alternative format for accessibility (e.g. large print, rich text) please contact clerks@pecounty.on.ca

Water and wastewater budgets

The draft 2026 budget for water / wastewater operating expenses is $5.5 million -- a 1.66 per cent increase from 2025. The draft 2026 water and wastewater capital budget is $7.4 million.

The water and wastewater budget is supported entirely by rates; no property taxes go toward water and wastewater services. The water and wastewater rates for the period of 2022-2026 were approved through a Council by-law in 2021.

New budget process

Under Section 284.16 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor as head of Council is required to prepare a proposed budget for the municipality and present it for Council’s consideration. The Mayor cannot delegate this responsibility. However, Mayor Ferguson directed staff to prepare and propose the 2026 budget for Council’s consideration.

County Council will hold a special meeting at Shire Hall from December 1-3 for the 2026 draft budget:

Monday, December 1, beginning at 6 pm

• A summary presentation from the treasurer
• Deputations and comments from the audience

Tuesday, December 2, beginning at 9 am

• Capital budget discussions

Wednesday, December 3, beginning at 9 am

• Operating budget discussions

Following the special Council meeting, staff will work to revise the draft budget based on Council discussions and public input. The final budget will come before Council for consideration and adoption in January 2026.

Recognizing the complexity and scope of the budget materials, staff have produced a budget book. The goal is to help the public better understand and engage with one of Council's most important tasks. The document touches on how the budget is created, different parts of the budget, key financial data, and highlights from departments across the corporation.

Click here to view the book. The document is in draft form, and it will be updated once the budget is approved by Council in January 2026.

Stay informed and get involved in the County's 2026 budget process by:

• Viewing the detailed documents for the draft 2026 budget
• Attending in person or watching the Council meetings via live stream
• Emailing a question or comment to communications@pecounty.on.ca or calling 613.476.2148 extension 1023.
• Visiting the Have Your Say public engagement platform

A County representative will be at several County library locations starting Friday, October 24 to gather public feedback and input that will help inform the 2026 municipal budget.

You can fill out a budget survey at the pop-up events on the following dates:

Date: Friday, October 24
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Location: Ameliasburgh Branch Library (809 Whitney Road)

Date: Tuesday, October 28
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Location: Picton Branch Library (208 Picton Main Street)

Date: Wednesday, October 29
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Location: Wellington Branch Library (261 Wellington Main Street)

Date: Thursday, October 30
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Location: Milford Branch Ann Farwell Library (3053 County Road 10)

If you can't drop by the library locations during these times, you can fill out the survey and share your feedback by visiting the County's Have Your Say page here.

In its Strategic Plan 2023-2026, County Council committed to supporting resident participation in the budgeting process. Over the next several years, the municipality will seek to bring more voices to the conversation about how your tax dollars are spent.

County Council will begin considering the 2026 municipal budget on Monday, December 1.

Send your questions and comments to communications@pecounty.on.ca. For more information or details on how you can fill out the survey over the phone, contact the County of Prince Edward at 613.476.2148 extension 1023, 613.962.9108 extension 1023, or info@pecounty.on.ca.

The County of Prince Edward is seeking public feedback and input to help inform the 2026 municipal budget.

In its Strategic Plan 2023-2026, County Council committed to supporting resident participation in the budgeting process. Over the next several years, the municipality will seek to bring more voices to the conversation about how your tax dollars are spent.

Join the conversation:

• Fill out the survey. Click here to fill out the survey online. Paper copies are available at Shire Hall (332 Picton Main Street)
• Share your feedback on the municipality's Have Your Say engagement platform
• Send your questions and comments to communications@pecounty.on.ca

The goals of this consultation:

• Give the public the opportunity to provide their input in order to influence the allocation of public resources
• Determine the level of support for Council's priorities and the level of desired investment in those priorities
• Generate ideas from the public on how the municipality can further improve services and performance
• Educate the public about the budget process as well as the opportunities and constraints that staff and council face when determining the budget each year
• Explore other ways the municipality can engage residents on the budget in future years

Please note: Council has approved the water and wastewater rates for the period 2022-2026. The municipality will study the rates in 2026 in order to set them for 2027-2031. Public consultation will occur as part of that rate study.

Council will consider the proposed budget beginning on Monday, December 1. The public can attend the budget meetings in person at Shire Hall or watch them live on the County's YouTube channel.

For more information or details on how you can fill out the survey over the phone, contact the County of Prince Edward at 613.476.2148 extension 1023, 613.962.9108 extension 1023, or info@pecounty.on.ca.