The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG) Council is aiming for a 4.48 per cent tax levy increase for 2026. At a special meeting on Tuesday, December 2, staff said the increase is driven primarily by rising operational expenses and higher policing costs. The proposed 2026 overall operating and capital budget totals $78.2 million, down from $87.4 million in 2025, or a reduction of approximately 10.5 per cent.
The significantly lower overall budget comes from a reduction in planned capital projects, major reductions in provincial funding, and having some projects shifted to 2027—lowering 2026 costs.
For average residential properties with an assessed value of $220,459, the proposed tax rate increase would add approximately $66.12 to the annual county tax bill. These figures are estimates and have not yet been confirmed by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).
SDG Counties collected $61,793,108 in tax revenue in 2025. With the 4.48 per cent increase, the Counties expect to collect approximately $64,561,479 or an additional $2,768.371 in 2026.
Increasing costs related to policing, inflation, wages, and aging infrastructure continue to put significant pressure on county coffers. Policing costs alone have risen by $1.28 million to $11,657,615 for 2026, while wages include a two per cent cost-of-living adjustment and higher associated benefits.
“Council has worked hard to navigate the many external pressures that continue to impact municipalities across Ontario,” SDG Counties Warden Martin Lang said. “Despite rising costs in areas we cannot control, we’ve delivered a responsible and forward-looking budget that maintains services, supports our infrastructure, and positions SDG Counties for continued stability.”
The Counties also face reductions in key provincial grants, including the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), which is being reduced by 20 per cent annually and dropping from $429,309 in 2025 to $343,520 in 2026. Additionally, the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) will also be reduced from $2,061,565 in 2025 to $1,896,737 in 2026.
Several major projects contribute to higher costs to the Counties, including $220,000 for detailed design work on County Road 34 and County Road 10. Construction is not expected to begin until early 2027, pending Council approval, and the designs require collaboration with the Township of North Glengarry to finalize the project estimates and timeline.
Road resurfacing in 2026 is projected to cost $13,200,000, covering more than 45.8 kilometres of roadway across the region.
The proposed 2026 budget still requires final approval at a future council meeting and may be revised.
