For Immediate Release: March 25, 2026

At a special council meeting held on March 25, 2026, Stratford Town Council passed resolutions to adopt the 2026/27 Town operating and capital budgets, and the 2026/27 Stratford Utility operating and capital budgets. The Stratford Utility budget does not include an increase in water or sewer rates, however, the operating budget for the Town does include the final year of a three-year plan that will see a two-cent increase to residential rates. On an assessed $400,000 property, this increase will amount to less than $7 per month but allows the Town to maximize this investment for the community, generating an estimated $5.9M in funding for projects such as the Community Campus over the next 25 years.

“We recognize that raising taxes is never an easy decision,” said Councillor Jeff MacDonald, Chair of the Finance and Technology Committee. “While these increases over the past three years have been planned and previously announced, I can assure residents that council took a hard look at the options before us. In the end we agreed that this is necessary to deliver on the amenities and services residents are asking for. While we could have decided to not follow through with the third-year increase, we would only be passing along the increase to happen in the future, which likely would be a much larger increase, to residents.”

The Town of Stratford, like other municipalities, are limited in their ability to generate revenue, with their primary sources being municipal taxes, utility charges and fees for service/use. Much of the revenue received by the Town of Stratford from property tax goes toward services that the Town has little discretion over spending, except for in some cases, setting the service level residents receive. These include items like police and fire protection, transit, street lighting, and active transportation. 

“Our expenses are increasing,” added Councillor MacDonald, “and like everyone we are always taking a good look at where our dollars are being spent, and adjusting when we can find ways to do so. Making wise investments, leveraging our tax dollars with funding partners, and being responsible stewards of our taxpayer’s money is a commitment that I can assure you continues to be at the forefront of our decision making, just as it has been for previous councils.”

During this term of council alone, fire dues, which are paid for by the Town through the collected municipal taxes, have increased by 46% and policing has risen by 55%. These two expenses make up 51% of the general government departmental budget, or CAO department.

“While this is a challenging time and our budget reflects that,” commented Councillor MacDonald, “it is also a time to reflect on some of the projects the Town has completed or that we have underway. The Michael Thomas Waterfront Park has become a jewel, and many residents are now using it year-round to get outdoors and enjoy the waterfront. With further enhancements coming, this will continue to be a place where we can gather. The Community Campus is another great project that will have a lasting positive impact. We have a wonderful community, and I am proud to call Stratford home.”

The budget forecasts an operating surplus of $12,210 for the upcoming year after accounting for the allocation to reserves are made. The Town commits once again to residents that should any surplus exist at the end of the year, that it will be placed in a reserve to support future investments in the community.

The 2026/27 budget includes investment in the following:  

• Additional installations of e-watch camera system
• New mural art locations 
• Stratford Business Park sale of available lots and preliminary design of phase IV
• Further expansion of transit service
• Opening of sports fields on the Community Campus
• Ongoing investment in the waterfront
• Active transportation projects (subject to funding)
• Continued review and anticipated adoption of the revised Official Plan and Zoning & Development Bylaw review
• Addition of fire hydrants in the core area
• Decommissioning of Harbourview Sewage Lift Station and redirecting flow to nearby Waterfront station
• Upgrades to Cable Heights water station and the Zakems Sewage Lift Station (subject to funding)
• Replacement of water distribution system in Reeves Estates (subject to funding)
• Enhancements to the Town’s community parks as well as at some neighbourhood parks

A summary document, as well as the full budget details and meeting recording, are available on the Town of Stratford’s website at www.townofstratford.ca.

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For more information please contact:

Wendy Watts, Community and Business Engagement Manager
Phone: (902) 569-1995
Email: wwatts@townofstratford.ca

Additional information is available by selecting the following links:
– Budget Highlights
– Budget Schedules
– Draft Budget Documents
– Special Council Meeting March 25, 2026 – Recording
– Special Council Meeting Agenda