2027 Budget
Introduction
In 2026, the municipality faces pressures from growth related infrastructure, impacts from changing legislation, rising expenses and higher demand for everything from swimming lessons to building permits and road repairs. The annual budget process ensures available resources are prioritized and balanced to support Town priorities and community service delivery.
The budget includes the costs of Town operations such as local roads, fire services, recreation facilities, and administration. It also includes income from user fees (such as arena use or planning applications), grants, building and development charges. The primary source of income, reflecting the costs of services that are shared by local residents and property owners, is the property tax.
Municipal property taxes also contribute to the budgets for the police, Region of Halton and boards of education. The Town collects the property tax on their behalf and adds this to the Town-issued property tax bills.
Halton Region provides services to the municipalities of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville. These services are different from those provided by the Town and include water and wastewater service, infrastructure, major roads, social services, housing, and public health.
Mayor’s Direction – TBD November 2026
In October 2023, the Ontario government gave strong Mayor powers to the Town of Halton Hills as per O.Reg. 530/22. As part of these special powers and duties, the Mayor is to provide staff direction on the budget and later, propose the municipal budget to Town Council. The proposed budget is then subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto and a Council override process.
On October 26, residents will vote for their council members and school board trustees. Given that it is an election year, it is anticipated that formal budget direction to staff will be provided on November 17 – after the newly elected Mayor and Council members have been sworn into office. This information will also be updated on this project page.
The Town budget will be approved in early 2027.
Factors Impacting the 2027 Budget
There are many factors that impact or influence the development of the 2027 budget. Some of these factors are beyond the municipality’s control such as economic factors and decisions of higher orders of government. Consideration is also given to the Town’s current financial state and the need to balance investment in existing services and infrastructure against the desire to keep tax increases low. The Town has a finite stream of revenue from property taxes, user fees, development charges (arising from growth), and non-tax-base funding such as special federal government program grants.
Many of the Town’s fiscal challenges are also experienced by other municipalities across Ontario, including non-discretionary impacts like provincially directed reductions in development charges and downloaded services. All of these factors are considered in developing the budget.
Halton Hills Town Council
TBD October 26, 2027 (election day)
Feasibility Study : Neighborhood Walkability / Sidewalk on Private Property (McFarlane Drive to Guelph Street and Delrex Boulevard Intersection)
Hi,
The Town of Halton Hills should consider highlighting a critical neighborhood walkability gap in our Georgetown community during the 2027 Budget planning cycle.
I would like the Town of Halton Hills to conduct a feasibility study regarding sidewalk connectivity across private property linking McFarlane Drive to Guelph Street and Delrex Boulevard intersection.
A formal comment for Planning and Infrastructure Services to evaluate right-of-way boundaries ROW, enter into negotiations and incentives with private property owners to secure potential public access easements, and survey the site for inclusion in future walkability capital planning.
Prioritizing this evaluation within upcoming municipal work plans and capital allocations will significantly improve local pedestrian safety, neighborhood walkability, and barrier-free access, while also reducing trespassing issues on private property and preventing residents from taking hazardous shortcuts.
Thank you for your consideration into this matter,
Hillary , L7G
Removed by moderator.
Hello,
I would like the Town of Halton Hills to consider entering into discussions with the private property owners of 365, 367, and 375 Guelph Street (Esso Gas Station, Best Western Halton Hills Hotel, Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill, and the Mangia Bene Italia Food Truck). The goal of these discussions would be to construct a safe pedestrian corridor connecting McFarlane Drive to the intersection of Guelph Street & Delrex Boulevard. Additionally, I request that the Town allocate $60,000 in municipal funding to construct a safe, properly marked, and well-lit pedestrian pathway along this designated route.
Currently, there is no pedestrian traffic signal at Guelph Street and McFarlane Drive. Furthermore, the safe corridor to Guelph Street and Delrex Boulevard is gated and closed. As a result, residents lack a safe, accessible corridor to walk to local destinations. Please take this into consideration.
Thank you
Myles
As for the (2026-2027) Winter Maintenance for Guelph St. Sidewalks, I recommend allocating a $25,000 operational budget for the 2027 Budget to enhance winter maintenance on the sidewalks at Guelph St. & McFarlane Dr. and Guelph St. & Delrex Blvd.
During the severe winter snow accumulation and slippery sidewalks forced residents to walk directly on the roadway of Guelph Street (Highway 7). This creates a dangerous safety hazard between residents and high-speed traffic. Clearing these corridors year-round is vital for public safety and directly aligns with the Town’s pedestrian mobility goals. Thank you for considering this critical safety funding. Sincerely, AR
Hi, As you plan the 2027 Budget, Please consider investing in an integrated local bus service that serves both of our distinct urban communities, Georgetown and Acton. Right now, we rely heavily on regional GO Bus routes for internal trips, which creates gaps in our day-to-day municipal connectivity. A municipal investment of around $3.5 million could fund a dedicated local transit network for our two primary communities less dependent on regional schedules and better serving neighbours who rely on public transportation. For Georgetown, a basic local route system would connect key destinations like Downtown Georgetown, the Georgetown Marketplace, Mountainview Road South, Georgetown Hospital, local high schools, regional hubs like Georgetown GO, Mount Pleasant Go and Acton GO. Crucially, a separate local loop would be dedicated to Acton to serve its own distinct community spaces, directly linking Acton's vibrant downtown commercial core along Mill Street, the Acton District School area, and key local spaces like the Acton Arena and Community Centre and the historic Acton Town Hall Centre. Investing in our own local transit keeps both of our distinct communities connected, supports our local small businesses, and gives all residents reliable ways to get around their respective towns. Thank you for considering local transit funding for both Acton and Georgetown in the 2027 budget! Thank you , Best Regards
Take pay cuts
Keep Property Taxes below 2% this year!! What is going on? Every year you are increasing it drastically putting so much pressure on Seniors and residents who are dealing with out of this world gas and grocery prices. Seriously since 2022 it has been almost indecent what you are doing to your residents. Cut back on fluff projects, cut back on your own raises, give your residents a break for 2027. I am outraged at the increase amounts the last 4 years to property taxes. Shame on council. What is worse is no matter who is voted in, your all increasing it by more than it should be.
Hello
We should get $350,000 of funding, for pedestrian and bicycle traffic signal at the intersection of Guelph St & McFarlane Drive. Since it does aligns with the Halton Hills plans currently in progress: the Guelph Street Secondary Corridor Study, the Official Plan Review, and the Mobility Master Plan.
The pedestrian corridor previously used by residents to access the Delrex Blvd. Pedestrian Traffic Signal , Delrex Blvd. Go Transit Bus Stop , and the Knolcrest Centre has been entirely closed by The Sands Condominium ( 20 McFarlane Drive). This physical obstruction isolates transit-dependent demographics who rely on public transportation to access employment, education, and essential commercial services.
Town of Halton Hills should mitigate these mobility barriers rather than assuming that public transit dependent residents will eventually buy a car.
Per the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 12 criteria, Guelph St. & McFarlane Drive warrants an Intersection Pedestrian Signal due to arterial traffic volumes and prolonged crossing delays experienced by vulnerable road users.
Furthermore, given the high-velocity profile of Guelph Street ( Highway 7) , installing an flashing beacon to alert drivers of Traffic Light up ahead 100 metres from McFarlane Drive.
Implementing this signal fulfills the statutory intent of Section 144 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act by establishing a definitive right-of-way that resolves vehicular-pedestrian conflicts while advancing long-term municipal mobility goals.
Thank you
Jennifer
Dear Town Council and Staff,
I am writing to kindly request that the 2027 Budget include capital funding—estimated within the standard $200,000 to $350,000 baseline—to plan and install a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle traffic signal at Guelph Street & McFarlane Drive.
Since the Guelph St. & McFarlane Drive area is part of the Guelph Street Secondary Corridor, the Official Plan Review, and the Mobility Master Plan, it is significant and crucial to take this location into consideration.
Especially since the pedestrian traffic signal at Guelph St & Delrex Blvd route is closed by The Sands Condominium (20 McFarlane Drive).
A protected signal here is essential for residents to safely reach the 400 Guelph St (Vanguard Pharmacy & walk-in clinic) and the Hall Road GO Transit Bus Stop. Thank you for considering this vital safety and planning connection!
Thank you,
Best regards
Bryan
The police budget does not need increasing, there are more critical issues such an employment opportunities, especially for teenagers. Expanding the job market in small towns will help the community economically and allow for young people to support themselves in the future.
15 Sideroad is a disaster. Riding a bike is even worse.
Do something about cleaning up the goose problem on Fairy Lake in Acton. Two studies have shown the problems the geese cause. The mayor said it was a priority. NOTHING has been done. No more studies. Control the geese.
We have a situation that is an accident waiting to happen on Tanners Dr. for people going to get their mail at the Tanners Dr. Park. People have to park their vehicle in the bike lane to get their mail. This happens to be in a pronounced curve in the street. Cyclist have to leave the path to circled around the parked cars and oncoming traffic does not see opposing traffic driving through the curve. There should be a parking space built between the sidewalk and the street. The space is there to accomodate such a parking spot. It would protect the cyclists and free vehicle traffic from having to almost cross into the oncoming lane to drive through that area.
I am available to discuss this issue.
Jean-Pierre Newby
16 Tanners Dr.
438-394-7823
Any budget increase should not be greater than the annual CPP or OAS increase. That's going to be hard, but it's a reality for retirees!
Let's live within our means Halton Hills!
Times are tough for a lot of Canadians, e.g. gas prices, mortgage rates, inflation. Be prudent in your budget decisions based on this. Watch staff increases in particular (in terms of raises and adding more people to depts). Think hard about starting new programs if they only benefit a small segment of constituents. Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Suggestions would be house flooding prevention, lots of houses built, climate and old infrastructure is making this a challenge for homeowners.
We have been here 32 years lots of new houses but no added centres other than Gellert and Moldmaster……the kids need more not another parkette.
Give some priority to repairing the buckling sidewalks in Ward 3.
Our Georgetown Hospital has many good qualities (ambulance is outstanding!) however it leaves a great deal to be done for the seniors who live here in Georgetown.
The walkway for people who need help physically is insanely long .. It's brutal to have people going that great distance down a long long hallway .. Either install a moving walkway (fastest solution) or change the positioning of the facilities that are offered at the end of the walkway.
And
This is critical...
When someone comes for a geriatric assessment and leaves being told that they have Alzheimer's it is incredibly cruel to just send people on their way without offering any help at all.
The patient and the family are dismissed and told that we are on our own to find out services in Georgetown which by the way are very limited!
That's exactly the moment when support is needed but what happens is, as I said, you're sent away on your own with devastating new news.
This is tragic.
Note..
Silver Creek Seniors Centre is a sad place. . It needs way more space and a HUGE infusion of new solid creative energetic programs.
And
The Georgetown Breadbasket does a marvelous job given the small space where all the very sad customers come for help.
Again... GEORGETOWN NEEDS TO ACTIVELY UPGRADE HELP FOR THOSE IN NEED!
There is a wonderful empty building that says Transat on the front that has been sitting empty for how many years? (It's beside Tim Hortons)
It's a PERFECT facility to offer more active support to both seniors in need and to those dear people who need food to eat!
Let's go Georgetown!
The upgrades for the hospital need to start immediately and not after months of discussion .. Let's go !
Let's go!
Please no more fluff projects (no fireworks, no town sponsoring winners and losers) . All money should be strictly for what is required to get what is needed done. Agreed that fireworks etc. are great family fun and brings a community together but that is what donations are for. Property taxes are getting way to expensive and taken without the ability to manage where they go. All level of government is taking too much "taxes" and giving away for items we do not need or support. It has to stop and focus on where the money is coming from. I give the town money I want it to be spent on Garbage, Roads, and stuff we need.