Huntsville's First Multi-Year Budget's Draft has been released
Huntsville General Committee received the 2025-26 Draft Budget, in the November 11, 2024, meeting.
According to Director of Finances/Treasurer, Julia McKenzie, this is the first year the Town is doing a multi-year budget. The Municipal Act allows municipalities to approve a budget covering a maximum of 5 years, so staff presented Committee with draft budgets for the next two years.
She added that benefits to the multi-year process includes allowing for a broader outlook and reduces deliberation time, with a less intensive process in the second year.
She said annual budget adoptions are still required accommodate changes to legislation, Council direction, or economic conditions.
According to the staff report, the draft budget reflects Operating and Capital. It adds, “The 2025 Draft Consolidated budget of $23,649,401 as presented would result in an estimated tax rate increase of 4.84% after factoring in growth of approximately 2.59%.”
A budget of $25,320,722 for 2026 will result in a tax increase of 4.87% to reflect 2.11% growth.
The report continues that the tax increases for both years meets Council recommendations for a maximum of 4.99%.
McKenzie advised that the 2025 draft budget will impact taxpayer rates by $2,938 ($1,489 to the Town, $990 to the District of Muskoka, and $459 to Education), and $3,049 (($1,562 to the Town, $1,029 to the District, and $459 to Education) in 2026. This results in a $69.00 increase to taxpayers with a house assessed at $300,000 in 2025, and $72.00 in 2026.
She added that MPAC hasn’t updated its assessments since 2016 and there are “no new target dates for the updated assessment.”
CAO, Denise Corry, advised that staff worked at striking a balance between “recognizing the financial restraints of residents” with service delivery.
She added that the Town conducted a public budget survey from September 1st to the 30th and resulted in 186 responses.
55% or 103 respondents expressed they believed they were receiving good value for the taxes paid, 62.3% expressed satisfaction with service delivery overall, and 53.2% preferred taxes be maintained or reduced, “even if it meant reducing service levels.”
Survey respondents also expressed that their top five priorities are healthcare access, roads, to protect and enhance the Town’s natural features, financial stability, and housing.
Committee will continue to review the Draft Budget in tomorrow’s Special Meeting.
