Budget

The Township of Algonquin Highlands Council passed By-Law 2026-38 to adopt the estimates of expenditures, in the amount of $18,582,749.00 and revenues, in the amount of $10,867,780.00 for the 2026 calendar year. The sum of $7,714,959.00 shall be levied for General Municipal purposes on the assessment in each property class to fund the remaining 2026 estimated expenditures.

The Township portion of the tax rate will realize an increase of $27.84 per year or 7.12% per $100,000 of Residential Assessment. While the combined tax rate, including County of Haliburton and Education requirements, results in an increase of $44.98 per year or 5.54% per $100,000 of Residential Assessment.
The 2026 Budget features many capital and operational projects including road reconstruction and maintenance, building improvements and maintenance, docks and landings rehabilitations, software replacements, annual equipment purchases, property improvement projects, and accessibility improvement projects. The projects planned are included in the budget estimates and Township reserves and Government Grants are being used where possible to keep budget increases at a minimum.

Annually Council and staff meet to discuss the projects and priorities for the following year with the intention of improving and modernizing services, increasing efficiencies, and maintaining infrastructure and financial sustainability in accordance with the Township of Algonquin Highlands Corporate Strategic Plan.
We are looking forward to continuing to implement the goals and objectives outlined in the Corporate Strategic Plan and will continue to collaborate with the County and neighbouring municipalities to implement innovative plans and ideas related to the delivery of services resulting from the Service Delivery Review.

General Government

Operationally, the administrative team continues to find options to offer more efficiencies and accessibility for ratepayers. The top priority for year is the 2026 Election, which is funded by Reserve funds that are set aside annually. Staff will continue to work with neighbouring municipalities towards the replacement of the ERP system which will be a multi-year project and are hopeful that the collaborative efforts will realize significant savings. We are scheduled to complete a Pay Equity Review in 2026, the cost of which is included in the budget but offset by reserves.

Protection to Persons and Property

Fire Services

The fire department will continue to work toward the completion of the training grounds and various repairs at all stations during the year including increasing attic insulation to help with energy costs. Operationally, the department has included both regular and more specialized training courses for firefighters in the budget along with annual equipment replacements.

Building and By-law Department

The Building and Bylaw budgets reflect continued training for staff and have incorporated the costs for the Septic Program – Year One which will be completed in-house with current staff.

Police Services

The 2026 Budget reflects a 11% increase in police services costs based on the Annual Billing Statement submitted to the Township by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Transportation and Environment

Airport – The 2026 Budget includes the estimated costs for the roof repairs for the hangers at the airport. The 1.5-million-dollar project will be funded by Airport Reserves and Gas Tax Funds with the intention to replenish the reserve funds over time. The Township in conjunction with the Airport Committee is looking forward to hosting two fly-in events in 2026.

Buildings and Maintenance – various projects are planned for many of the facilities managed by the Township to continue to improve accessibility and increase energy efficiency – these projects include, but are not limited to, attic insulation upgrades at various buildings and renovations at the Administration building to provide for additional workspaces.

Cemeteries – property upgrades will continue at various sites, and the implementation of the new cemetery software will be completed.

Equipment –  the budget includes costs for the regular maintenance of equipment and specific equipment will be replaced in accordance with the Asset Management Plan. As always, vehicles will be redeployed to other departments to complete their lifecycles where possible.

Construction Projects – Surface repairs are planned on various roadways throughout the Township in accordance with the Asset Management Plan. Ditching and culvert replacements will be completed on roads scheduled for surface treatment and problem areas addressed throughout the Township.
Bridge Projects – repairs to the Bear Lake Bridge will be completed in response to OSIM inspections and in accordance with the Asset Management Plan.

Environment

Site enhancements, signage updates, general repairs and equipment replacements as required will be completed at municipal landfill sites throughout the year. A tree clearing project at Oxtongue Lake Landfill is planned for 2026 in preparation for landfilling cells in the undeveloped area of the site. The Environmental Manager will continue to collaborate with local municipalities and the County on various projects.

Parks, Recreation and Trails

Parks and Trails – annual maintenance will continue at all locations along with tree and flower planting and seeding. Specific projects planned include the repairs to the stone steps at Log Chute along with the rebuild of a small section of the log chute structure, and the installation of an indigenous flower garden at Tapscott-Lopes Park. The equipment purchases planned for 2026 include the replacement of the 2018 pick-up for the Trails team.

Ongoing training for load securement, playground inspections, water system operations and High-Five certification.

Stanhope Firefighters’ Community Hall - the installation of an accessible lift is included in the budget, currently funded by Reserves. Staff have applied for a grant to offset these costs, but notification of approval was not available at budget time.

Dorset Recreation Centre – a treadmill replacement and new basketball nets along with the HVAC upgrades have been included in the budget.

Staff have included costs related to hosting another volunteer appreciation event for 2026 and continually look for new programming options to offer patrons.

Dorset Tower – various projects are included in the 2026 Budget including the replacement of the storage shed, electrical upgrades, accessible ramp installation and fence and stair repairs at the Peek-A-Boo Rock Lookout.

Docks and Landings – the 2026 Budget includes the costs related to the completion of the Russell Landing rehabilitation project and the costs for the rehabilitation of the Fletcher Lake Landing in accordance with the Asset Management Plan. These costs are being funded primarily from the Docks and Landings Reserve.

Planning and Development

Staff will continue to collaborate with the County and neighbouring municipalities to review Development Charges and continue to implement recommendations as a result of the Service Delivery Review.

Staff will be also be working with the County of Haliburton on the Official Plan Review.

Along with the by-laws and policies outlined below, staff will continue to work with Council to support affordable housing initiatives and other policy reviews and updates as required.

In addition to the projects outlined above, regular operations continue, and the budget also includes the following:

• staff improvements through training and certifications;
• ongoing contributions to reserves to ensure financial sustainability into the future;
• continued review and implementation of the Asset Management Plan, which was updated in 2025, to ensure Township assets can be replaced as forecasted and finances are in place, where possible, to fund these replacements;
• continued maintenance activities on Township facilities with an emphasis on energy management, conservation and increased efficiencies.

All departments will continue to collaborate with the County of Haliburton and local municipalities on the joint activities contained in the Service Delivery Review to standardize services throughout the County.
The Township of Algonquin Highlands 2026 budget incorporates the expenditures and funding solutions for several major projects:

• repairs to the hangers at the Stanhope Airport;
• reconstruction and surface treatment on various roadways in the Township;
• tree clearing project at Oxtongue Lake Landfill site;
• rehabilitation projects at Russell and Fletcher Lake Landings;
• vehicle replacements, with redeployments where possible for several departments.
The budget document also included some increased and new expenditures in 2026 in comparison to previous years including:
• increased support costs in various department for additional and improved software and online platforms to provide additional avenues for communication and increase efficiencies for staff and provide more accessible information for property owners;
• increase wage costs related to the replacement of staff as a result of retirements and maternity leave;
• new additional costs for new software programs required for various departments;

Township staff worked diligently to prepare the 2026 Budget which represents the commitment of Council and staff to provide a fiscally responsible financial outlook for the year while continuing to strive for service excellence and improvements where possible that align with the new Township Strategic Plan and are in the best interest of the residents of the Township of Algonquin Highlands.

The chart below provides a breakdown by department and/or service of the anticipated expenditures as a percentage of the total cost.

The following chart provides a breakdown by department and/or service of the anticipated revenues as a percentage of the total.

The following chart provides a breakdown of the types of expenditures included in the budget and where they fall in relation to one another.