United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry (SDG) Council adopted its finalized 2026 budget on Monday, February 2, which includes a 4.48 per cent increase in the residential property county tax levy. Original budget discussions on December 2, 2025, revealed that the overall operating and capital budget for 2026 will total $78.2 million, of which $65,499,846 is expected to be funded through property tax revenue. This represents an increase of $3,706,738 in property tax revenue compared to 2025.
“Council has worked hard to navigate the many external pressures that continue to impact municipalities across Ontario,” SDG Counties Warden Martin Lang said. These challenges include unstable global markets, inflation, rising policing costs, and cost-of-living adjustments.
“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,” Lang said.
SDG Counties Director of Financial Services and Treasurer Rebecca Russell reported that the 4.48 per cent increase in the residential property tax rate for 2026 will equate to an annual increase of approximately $66.12 for the average assessed property value of $220,459.
Russell’s report states that the budget has been structured to maintain current service levels and allow for targeted investments in infrastructure and other long-term needs.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) service costs have risen by $1.28 million to a 2026 total of $11,657,615, representing an increase of approximately 13 per cent from last year’s estimated cost of $10.3 million.
SDG Counties Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Maureen Adams said, “Staff and council have collaborated closely to ensure this budget reflects both fiscal prudence and the needs of our communities. We have maintained a disciplined approach that protects core services and enables us to plan confidently for the year ahead.”
