2026 Tax & Water (Rate) Budget

Mayor Horwath releases 2026 Proposed Tax Budget

January 20, 2026

Mayor's Memorandum - 2026 Proposed Tax Budget

FCS26001 - 2026 Tax Budget Overview (City Wide)

Mayor Andrea Horwath has released the Mayor’s Report and 2026 Proposed Tax Budget for the City of Hamilton. The Proposed Budget is guided by a clear direction to maintain affordability while making responsible financial decisions that protect City services and infrastructure and invest in what matters most to the community - now and over the long term.

 The proposed budget has a 4.25 per cent residential tax increase and reflects a disciplined approach to managing costs while maintaining the services residents rely on every day.  

Feedback from residents throughout the year, including input received during budget engagement sessions, underscored the importance of prioritizing affordability while continuing to invest in critical infrastructure and supporting community safety and well-being. The proposed budget reflects a balanced approach, responding to affordability pressures today while protecting the City’s ability to deliver services and infrastructure sustainably into the future. 

Staff will provide a detailed presentation and overview of the proposed budget at the January 23, 2026 General Issues Committee (Budget) meeting.  

City Council will have 30 days to review the Mayor’s Proposed Tax Budget, propose amendments, deliberate, and vote on amendments. Final adoption of the tax budget is expected in February or March 2026.

The City budget shapes the services you rely on every day, such as roads, transit, housing and public health. It is how we invest in Hamilton’s future while keeping life affordable for everyone. Your input and understanding are key to making this process transparent and community-driven.

City releases Draft Staff-Proposed 2026 Tax Budget

December 12, 2025

2026 Staff Proposed Tax Supported Budget Book(PDF, 13.03 MB)

2026 Capital Detail Sheets(PDF, 21.37 MB)

Budget Basics

Hamilton prepares two budgets each year:

• Tax Budget: Covers services like transit, waste collection, housing, recreation and emergency services. This is funded largely by property tax, government grants and user fees. 
• Water (Rate) Budget: Covers water, wastewater and stormwater services.

Together these budgets fund essential programs and infrastructure that keep our city running.

What’s Happening Now

The City of Hamilton’s 2026 budget process is underway. Public input gathered during the fall engagement period is now helping shape the development of the tax budget, in alignment with the Mayor’s Directive issued on October 7.

Key Dates

• Budget Public Delegation: November 17, 2025
• Staff Tax Budget Release (Draft): December 12, 2025
• Tax Budget Public Delegation: January 19, 2026
• 2026 Proposed Tax Budget: January 20, 2026
• Budget overview presentation: January 23, 2026
• Departmental and Boards and Agencies presentations and Discussion of Proposed Tax Budget to General Issues Committee: January 27 to 30, 2026
• Budget General Deliberations and Amendment Consideration Meetings: Friday, February 6, 2026  | Friday, February 13, 2026 (if required)
• Special Council meeting - final consideration of budget amendments: Thursday, February 19, 2026
• Final Tax Budget Adoption: February or March 2026

Download the 2026 Budget Flowchart(PDF, 365.6 KB)

Understanding Budget Amendments

A budget amendment is a change proposed by Members of Council to the Mayor’s Budget. Amendments can adjust funding amounts or redistribute resources to better reflect community priorities while keeping the budget balanced and transparent. 

Understanding this process helps residents know how decisions are made and how community input shapes the outcome.

Council Amendments to the Proposed Budget - Guide(PDF, 189.61 KB)

Stay Informed and Get Involved

• Follow us on social media for reminders and resources.
• Share your feedback during public delegations or review the budget engagement tools at engage.hamilton.ca/2026budget.

Together, we can build a budget that reflects Hamilton’s priorities and supports a strong, inclusive community.