Grey County Council Gives Initial Approval to $301.9M Budget for 2026
County's operating and capital plan includes paramedic base builds, road transfers, and 4.78% levy increase.
Grey County Council has given preliminary approval to its 2026 budget, a $301.9 million plan that maintains current service levels while making targeted investments in infrastructure and public services.
The recommendation followed two days of review and discussion, culminating in a special budget meeting on December 12.
The draft budget includes both operating and capital expenses and proposes a 4.78% increase to the municipal residential tax levy, equal to $27.90 per $100,000 of residential assessment. For the average single detached home in Grey County, assessed at $296,000, this represents an estimated annual increase of $82.58.
In total, the 2026 budgetary increase over the previous year amounts to 6.68%, though new residential assessment growth, estimated at $1.88 million, will help offset some of the $7.1 million in additional funding required.
After accounting for this growth and other factors such as a change in the multi-residential tax ratio, the additional amount to be raised through taxation is $5.35 million. A 1% increase in the residential tax rate for 2026 is estimated to raise approximately $801,200.
Key investments for the year include the construction of two new paramedic services bases — one in Feversham to meet demand and response targets, and another in Dundalk to replace a shared facility with the local fire department.
The budget also funds ongoing efforts to shift certain urban County roads to local municipalities, while preparing to assume responsibility for other road segments aimed at improving the regional network.
Other budget allocations will go toward maintaining existing roads, bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure.
“After thoughtful discussion and debate, Council has set a direction that ensures we can continue delivering the services residents rely on while also investing in the well-being of our communities today, and into the future,” said Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs during the meeting.
The budget also reflects broader economic pressures, including inflation in construction, utilities, and materials — factors largely outside the County’s direct control.
This year’s budget process began with the Budget and Finance Committee reviewing the 2026–2035 capital forecast in October, followed by the draft operating budget in November.
Council considered those recommendations during special meetings held on December 5 and 12. Final budget approval is expected at the January 8 Council meeting when the formal by-law will be presented.
Grey County also compared the final 2026 budget to its previous projection from the 2025 budget cycle—the first year the County included a forward-looking forecast. The actual net levy for 2026 is $85.47 million, $2.16 million above the projected $83.31 million.
Key variances include reductions related to staffing, court security, and roads, as well as higher-than-expected supplemental taxation revenue and adjustments to provincial funding.
Grey County is responsible for a wide range of services, including long-term care, social assistance, childcare, housing, emergency medical services, road maintenance, and cultural programming.
The County supports nearly 1,000 affordable housing units, funds more than 10,500 nights of emergency shelter annually, and maintains over 887 kilometres of roads and related infrastructure.
The full draft budget is available for public review at www.grey.ca/budget and includes a new interactive tool that offers visualizations, maps, and detailed breakdowns of County spending.
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