FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Middlesex County Adopts 2026 Budget Focused on Essential Services and Long-Term Financial Stability
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, January 13, 2026 – Today, County Council passed By-law 7389 to adopt the 2026 Budget of the County of Middlesex, which will result in a 3.87% increase to the tax levy. The 2026 Budget reflects careful planning to balance community needs with responsible financial management while investing in the services, infrastructure, and programs residents rely on every day.
The 2026 Budget totals approximately $201 million, including $170 million in operating expenditures and $27.2 million in capital investment. It addresses inflationary pressures, workforce and legislative requirements, as well as the growing demands associated with population growth, while establishing a more sustainable financial foundation for the County.
Through the 2026 Budget, Middlesex County continues to invest in high-impact services and community priorities. Enhancements include expanded EarlyON programming and a five-year extension of Middlesex Connect to maintain vital interregional transportation access. The Budget also supports local Community Improvement Plans focused on downtown revitalization, industrial growth, and affordable housing, restores leadership within the Middlesex County Library to guide modernization efforts, accelerates the digitization of corporate records in preparation for the new Governance and Administration Centre, and strengthens supports for community well-being, particularly for vulnerable residents.
An increase of 3.87% means that for the value of a residential property, taxes will increase by $17.89 per $100,000 of the value of the property according to its MPAC assessment. This increase supports essential County services, infrastructure maintenance, and targeted community investments. Actual property taxes will vary based on assessment and local municipal and education tax rates.
QUOTES:
“This Budget is about investing in the things that matter most to our community while making responsible choices for the future. The 2026 Budget supports the essential services residents depend on, maintains critical infrastructure, and strengthens our financial foundation. We recognize the pressures facing our residents, and this approach ensures Middlesex County remains financially stable, resilient, and well positioned to meet the needs of a growing community today and in the years ahead.”
– Warden Sue Clarke
For more information about the 2026 Middlesex County Budget and Budget Highlights, please visit the Middlesex County Website.
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Middlesex County is an innovative, well-run organization offering high-value programs and services to the best community in which to live, visit, and do business in Southwestern Ontario. The County serves a vibrant, growing community of 81,700 people and offers a great place to call home, offering exceptional lifestyle, a wide variety of local attractions, and wonderful sense of community.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Middlesex County Media Relations
Legislative Services Division
@email