The City of Brantford has confirmed the City Services portion of its 2026 operating and capital budgets, signalling what officials describe as a fiscally disciplined approach designed to maintain essential services while advancing major infrastructure and community projects.
The decision follows a meeting of the Estimates Committee on Monday, marking the annual confirmation of the next year within Brantford’s four-year multi-year budget, first adopted in 2024. Each year, Council is required to validate the upcoming budget cycle to ensure projections remain aligned with current financial conditions and strategic priorities.
For 2026, city staff presented an operating plan that falls below the previously established Year 3 target. The reduction was achieved through close cost management, strategic reserve use and efficiency gains across multiple departments, allowing the City to maintain service levels despite external cost pressures.
The confirmed 2026 base City Services operating budget reflects an increase of 3.71% after assessment growth—slightly below the 3.80% target set at the start of the 2024–2027 budget cycle. Achieving this, staff said, required navigating inflation, increased benefit premiums, and labour-related pressures while working within lower-than-anticipated assessment growth.
The final total for the 2026 City Services operating budget rises to 4.66% after assessment growth when incorporating transit investments approved by Council in 2025. That includes the second phase of the Transit Optimization Strategy, which expands public transit capacity and service as part of a multi-year modernization effort.
A mid-year financial review allowed the City to identify several areas of savings that offset unexpected cost increases. Staff reported reduced spending on winter control and organic processing, alongside higher-than-projected revenues from parking, landfill tipping, and interest income. These adjustments helped preserve current service levels without requiring additional tax-supported expenditures.
The operating budget also incorporates new funding to support the Southwest Community Centre and Park, a major facility expected to open in fall 2026. Additional investments are allocated to the Shared Social Services budget, which is facing growing caseloads and an expanding housing portfolio as part of broader community and social support responsibilities.
Brantford’s 2026 capital budget totals $165.4 million. Officials note that the spending plan is funded through a mix of development charges, reserves, grants, the Canada Community Building Fund, and what the City describes as “carefully managed debt,” all within established debt-servicing limits. More than three-quarters of capital projects remain on schedule, with delays occurring only when rising construction costs or staffing limitations required adjustments.
Among the most significant capital projects are a new affordable housing development at 687 Colborne Street, general rehabilitation work on the Lorne Bridge, and the redevelopment of the Earl Ave Operational Services facility. Funding is also allocated to address nitrate issues in source water, including the final design and Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for a reverse osmosis system at the Water Plant.
Roadwork and infrastructure renewal remain major components of the capital plan. The City expects to invest $13 million in road restoration and rehabilitation in 2026 and an additional $26 million in the Downtown Infrastructure Revitalization and Renewal Program, aimed at supporting long-term growth and improving the urban core.
“Ensuring Brantford remains affordable while continuing to grow is a central priority of Council,” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michael Bradley. “The staff recommended 2026 City Services Budget reflects a disciplined, financial approach meeting community needs, modernizing transit, and responsibly planning while keeping the City portion of the budget increase below forecast. This reflects our continued commitment to strong fiscal stewardship.”
Next steps in the budget process include the Estimates Committee’s review of budgets submitted by local boards and agencies, scheduled for December 1, 2025. After those deliberations are complete, the Mayor’s Proposed Budget will be released on January 9, 2026.
Residents seeking more information or wishing to follow the budget process can visit brantford.ca/CityBudget.
