What began as a potential 9.5 per cent tax levy increase for the Town of Hawkesbury in 2025 has ended with a 6.49 per cent levy increase.
On Monday, February 10, council adopted the final 2025 municipal budget. A previous version, which would have led to a 9.83 per cent levy increase, was adopted on December 9, 2024 with a plan to adopt the updated, final version later once there was an accurate understanding of how much additional provincial funding would mitigate the levy increase. Hawkesbury, like many other municipalities across Ontario, had been facing a significant levy increase for 2025 due to increased costs for Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) service. Hawkesbury had been facing an additional $567,000 or more than 20 per percent in policing costs for 2025. But, an additional $503,535 in provincial funding announced in November 2024 meant the impact on the 2025 tax levy increase could be reduced. The total net cost of OPP service for the Town of Hawkesbury is $3,352,565.
A report presented to council on February 10 by Treasurer Philippe Timbers recommended allocating 25 per cent of the discount in policing costs to the 2025 budget and allocating the remaining 75 per cent of the discount to the 2026 budget. The result would have been a 2024 tax levy increase of 8.5 per cent. However, council had other ideas.
“It’s very, very high,” said Councillor Julie Séguin about a potential 8.5 per cent levy increase.
“Nobody knows what will happen next year,” commented Councillor Jeanne Charlebois about 2026 policing costs. She said taxpayers need a break.
Councillor Tony Tsourounakis said inflation and an “out of control” OPP budget are to blame for the situation with policing costs. He said inflation could be lower by the time the 2026 budget is prepared. He instead suggested a preference for the fourth option in Timbers’ report, which would apply 75 per cent of the discounted cost to the 2025 budget and allocate the remaining 25 per cent to the 2026 budget.
Séguin moved to adopt the option Tsourounakis had preferred. Councillor Raymond Campbell voted against the recommendation, but support for the budget estimate bylaw was unanimous. Councillor Yves Paquette was absent.
“A win for Hawkesbury taxpayers!” is how Séguin later described the 6.49 per cent increase she moved. Séguin said the levy increase has been reduced by 30 per cent as a result.
“While I understand the need for a municipality to have a reserve, this decision ensures that the funds the province sent benefit residents immediately, rather than remaining in the reserve,” added Séguin.
