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Simcoe County council approves over $1 billion budget for 2026

December 4, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Simcoe County council approved a $1.042 billion budget on Nov. 25, 2025.

The budget was designed to maintain existing service levels while delivering strategic, fiscally responsible investments that support growth, modernization, and community well-being.

Council stated the budget was developed in alignment with Council priorities and with a clear focus on delivering value in today’s challenging financial climate.

The approved budget positions the County of Simcoe for long-term resilience and success while minimizing impact on taxpayers.

“This budget reflects County Council’s steadfast commitment to fiscal responsibility and prudent stewardship of taxpayer dollars while facing rising demand for the County’s critical services,” said Simcoe County Warden Basil Clarke. “By balancing the need to invest in critical infrastructure, housing, and community supports with careful financial management, this responsible approach positions Simcoe County to grow sustainably while protecting the services and supports that matter most to our communities.” 

The budget includes key investments across 20 vital service areas, including infrastructure, housing, emergency services, and community supports.

Key investments include:

• Major road construction projects (CR4, CR 21, CR22), bridge upgrades.

• Continued implementation of the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport Strategic Plan, including the Runway Extension project.

• Launch of the new 10-Year Strategy with funding for rental units, supplements, secondary suites, and supportive housing.

• Further work on the Simcoe Village Campus Redevelopment in Beeton

• Continued rollout of Community Paramedicine and Models of Care

• Simcoe County Housing Corporation developments in Barrie, Collingwood, and Wasaga Beach, alongside continued support for third-party affordable housing projects.

• Implementation of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, supporting the creation of 978 new licensed childcare spaces through a cost-based funding model.

The approved budget includes a 3.5 per cent increase – 2 per cent for operating and capital, and 1.5 per cent for asset management – on the County portion of municipal property taxes in 2026.

This represents an impact of approximately $10.86 per $100,000 of assessment across the region, based on MPAC’s 2016 property assessment. 

A total of $237.4 million of the County’s $745.1 million operating revenue budget comes from Simcoe County residential property taxes, and the remaining amount from other revenues and funding streams.

The County’s strong financial position is reflected in its AA+ long-term issuer credit rating from S&P Global Ratings – a leading provider of independent credit assessments and market insights.

2026 budget highlights include:

Total County operating and capital expenditures for 2026: $1.042 billion.

• Long Term Care Homes and Senior Services: $126 million

• Paramedic Services: $89 million

• Community Support and Wellbeing: $101 million

• Community Housing: $114 million

• Housing and Homelessness: $69 million

• Early Learning and Child Care System Management: $151 million

• Transportation and Engineering: $82 million

•Solid Waste Management: $83 million

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