Hamilton 2026 tax budget enters final stretch

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath is expected to provide an update on the 2026 tax budget later today at City Hall as the process enters its final stretch.

The forecasted tax increase from the staff-proposed tax budget is at 5.5 per cent.

This could still fluctuate though depending on how everything plays out.

Over 20 delegates spoke yesterday in front of councillors about the budget, including Greg Dunnett with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

The proposed tax budget has a net levy of $1.33 billion, which is an increase of $86.5 million. That translates to the residential tax increase of 5.5 per cent or $293 for an average property assessed at $387,000.

The proposed tax hike is above the mayor’s directive given last fall to target a maximum tax increase of 4.25 per cent.

City staff say departments reviewed their budgets to find “cost-saving opportunities” and were able to save $52.9 million.

The city has already approved the water budget for this year, which rose to 7.32 per cent or about $77 annually per household.

Horwath’s budget will be open for consideration at council for about 30 days once released.

The final budget is set to be approved and adopted sometime in February or March.

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