2026 Budget

Approval of 2026 Mayor's Budget

On November 27, 2025, Mayor Ritsma and Finance and Labour Relations Committee considered amendments to the 2026 Mayor’s Budget released on November 19, 2025.

The committee discussed several amendments and approved three additions to the Mayor’s budget noted below. After discussing all proposed amendments, Committee closed the amendment period, and the Mayor confirmed he would not veto any of the approved amendments brought forward. This decision is confirmed in Mayoral Decision DE-2025-21.

This results in a final 2026 City budget with a tax rate increase of 3.19%. This translates to an approximate increase to property taxes in 2026 of $172.00 annually ($14 monthly) on an average home valued at $317,000.

Additions to the Mayor’s budget:

• Approval of expansion initiative to purchase a Mini-X Excavator $76,500.
• Direction to staff to accelerate the replacement of the Devon Street Playground removed in 2025 $20,000. Please note that the estimated cost of the playground project is $120,000. The addition to the budget reflects the use of otherwise committed reserve funds.
• Approval of Fire Master Plan, estimated cost $90,000. Funded from reserves and not impacting the tax requirements.

2026 Budget Documents

The 2026 Mayor's Budget was released on November 19, 2025. Please see below for the Strong Mayor budget process and timeline.

The 2026 draft budget was released on October 20, 2025, to provide an opportunity for consultation with Council and the public before the Mayor's Budget is released and the 2026 budget meetings take place (dates noted below).

For questions about the budget please call 519-271-0250 extension 5202 or email Corporate Services.

Please see general information related to the budget process on the main “Budget” page.

Public Feedback

Members of the public have provided feedback on the draft budget through the following activities/events. A summary of all public engagement initiatives for the 2026 draft budget was presented to the Finance and Labour Relations Committee at its first budget meeting on November 27, 2025.

Pop-Up Events

• Stratford Farmer’s Market at 357 McCarthy Road, Stratford  – Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
• The Local Community Food Centre at 612 Erie Street, Stratford – Monday, November 3, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Stratford Mall at 1067 Ontario Street, Stratford - Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

In-Person Open House

A 2026 Budget Open House was held on November 3, 2025, in the City Hall Auditorium.

2026 Budget Online Engagement

Online tools were also available on Engage Stratford to gather feedback from the community on the draft budget. Poll questions were also released for quick input on specific topics.

Strong Mayor 2026 Budget Process

The City of Stratford became a Strong Mayor City on May 1, 2025, and the 2026 budget process reflects this change.

For an explanation on the Strong Mayor budget process and proposed 2026 timeline for Stratford, please review page 4 report of the Council Agenda dated August 13, 2025. This report also includes the 2026 Budget Mayoral Direction that has informed the development of the 2026 Draft Budget document.

2026 Community Grants

2026 Grant Awards were approved by Council on March 9, 2026.

Please email Corporate Services if you have any questions regarding the City's Community Grants Program.