What was originally projected to be a 4.9 per cent tax levy increase ended up being a 6.41 per cent increase when Hawkesbury town council adopted the 2026 municipal budget on Monday, February 9.
Adoption of the budget followed special council meetings held on January 26 and 28. In 2025, the total tax levy was $13,398,558 and in 2026 it is projected to be $14,258,000, which is $859,442 more than in 2025. The total 2025 operations budget for the Town of Hawkesbury was $26,524,430. The total operations budget for 2026 is $ 28,350,331, which is $ 1,760,901 or 6.62 per cent more than in 2025.
The 2026 municipal capital budget totals $21,335,450. The allocation includes a two per cent increase in the amount allocated so the town can better meet its infrastructure needs. The Asset Management Plan adopted in 2025 identified that the Town of Hawkesbury has average capital spending requirements of $9 million per year, but an average of only $3.7 million per year was being allocated for capital projects. In December 2025, council decided to add a two per cent increase to the capital budget each year to catch up with the required expenditures. Council and staff have met with the provincial Minister of Infrastructure to explain the town’s capital needs.
Road projects planned in Hawkesbury in 2026 include reconstruction of Main Street West at a cost of about $6 million, resurfacing on Spence Avenue east of Cameron Street which will cost around $100,000, and engineering work for reconstruction of Tessier Street which will cost about $70,000.
The capital budget includes $2.4 million for roof replacement at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex, but that project will only take place if grant funding is available.
Also included among the 2026 capital expenditures are $88,000 for a new fire department staff vehicle, and $200,000 for a used fire pumper truck to replace a 30-year-old truck the department is currently using.
The only vote against adoption of the 2026 Hawkesbury municipal budget was from Councillor Julie Séguin. Councillor Jeanne Charlebois was not present for the meeting.
