2026 Budget

Section 290(1) of the Municipal Act, requires that a municipality shall prepare and adopt a budget including the estimates of all sums required during the year for the purposes of the municipality, including amounts sufficient to pay all debts of the municipality falling due within the year.

In 2025 The Municipality of Grey Highlands through O.Reg 530/22 was added to the list of Municipalities which now operate under the Strong Mayor Legislation. This new legislation has a direct effect on the municipal budget process.

The following staff direction has been received by Mayor McQueen to date regarding the 2026 Budget:

l, Paul McQueen, Mayor for the Municipality of Grey Highlands hereby direct the Treasurer and Chief Administrative Officer to prepare the 2026 draft Budget; and

  • That the departmental operational budgets be presented with no more of a 2.5% increase; and
  • That the draft budget be presented to the Mayor no later than October 3, 2025.
  • To include the Finance Liaison, Councillor Tom Allwood in the draft budget being presented to myself no later than October 3, 2025.
  • Direct staff to schedule a Committee of the Whole meeting on December 2, 2025 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm to provide the draft budget framework to Council.

From the Mayoral direction above and Council approval on October 15, 2025, to shorten the Council override period, the following budget timeline has been established:

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - incomplete

    Draft Budget Framework

    December 2, 2025 - Committee of the Whole - Draft Budget Framework. Council may make recommendations to the Mayor.

  • Timeline item 2 - incomplete

    Mayor's Budget Tabled

    January 5, 2026 - Mayor's Budget Tabled (Presented) Distributed to Council members and Clerk; and made available to the public.

    Note: Budget is not tabled at a formal meeting of Council

  • Timeline item 3 - incomplete

    Budget Meeting #1

    January 12, 2026 - Budget Council meeting

    Note: Council may make amendments by resolution (Majority Vote)

  • Timeline item 4 - incomplete

    Budget Meeting #2

    January 14, 2026 - Budget Council Meeting

    Note: Council may make amendments by resolution (Majority Vote)

  • Timeline item 5 - incomplete

    Budget Meeting (if required)

    January 26, 2026 - Budget Meeting (if required)

  • Timeline item 6 - incomplete

    Budget Meeting (if required)

    January 28, 2026 - Budget Meeting (if required)

  • Timeline item 7 - incomplete

    30-day Amendment Period Ends

    February 4, 2026 - 30-day Amendment Period Ends

    Note: if no amendments are received, the budget is deemed to be adopted by the municipality

  • Timeline item 8 - incomplete

    Mayor's Veto Deadline

    February 14, 2026 - Mayors Veto Deadline – Last Day for the Mayor to veto amendments Council override period begins

    Note: Mayor must provide veto(s) to members of Council and the Clerk in a written document that includes the veto and reasons for veto; Clerk to distribute publicly

    Note: If the Mayor vetoes a resolution, the resolution shall be deemed not to have been passed by Council Note: If no veto(s) is received, the proposed budget, including any prior approved amendments, shall be deemed to be adopted by the municipality

  • Timeline item 9 - incomplete

    Deadline for Members to Override Mayor's Veto (if any)

    February 18, 2026 - Deadline for Members to Override Mayors Veto (if any) Any vetoes received will be an agenda item at the regular Council meeting; Council may vote to override the mayor’s veto with 2/3 majority vote.

    Note: The Head of Council may vote as a Member of Council in a vote to override a veto.

    Note: If Council overrides the veto, the proposed budget, including any previously approved amendments, is deemed to be adopted by the Municipality.

    Note: If Council does not override the veto, the proposed budget, reflecting any vetoes, is deemed to be adopted by the municipality.