The big numbers are on the table on Monday night in Brighton, as the first draft of the 2026 budget is presented.
Mayor Brian Ostrander will outline the spending plan developed under Strong Mayor Powers.
The proposed operating budget is just over $8.1 million, with another $3.2 million for capital projects and just over $3 million for agencies for a total of $14.4 million dollars to be raised through taxes.
After you factor in growth of 1.5%, the average tax increase would be around 4.9%.
This is only the first step in Brighton. A special open house to get public input will follow on the 24th. Council will then discuss potential alterations and could pass it on the 24th, with the first opportunity to adopt the budget by passing a bylaw on December 15th.
Mayor Brian Ostrander says there are a few big items next year including continuing work on the wastewater treatment plant (already underway).
While they have received $35 million from the province towards a total price-tag of $60 million overall, they are still looking for alternative sources of funding.
Ostrander says they will also be spending about $500,000 on traffic calming measures and another half a million for design work on a new Fire Headquarters and a substation south of the tracks.
The meeting on Monday the 17th (of November) will also see presentations by groups looking for a portion of the money allocated by the municipality each year for community groups (around $150,000 total).
