The first draft of the 2026 Hawkesbury municipal budget will be ready for council’s review by February 1.
At the council meeting on December 10, 2025, Mayor Robert Lefebvre issued a directive to the administrative staff to prepare a draft budget for the year ahead.
Under Ontario’s so-called strong mayor legislation which was expanded in 2025 to include Hawkesbury and all other municipalities with a population of 10,000 and greater, the mayor has the authority to implement a budget. However, Lefebvre decided he would rather delegate the authority to staff and council and develop the budget as is usually done.
“I left it to the democratic process,” he said.
Lefebvre said his directive to the administration does not include specific directions on expenditures, savings, or a property tax levy increase.
