City Budget
2027 Tax & Water (Rate) Budget
The City budget turns public dollars into the services and infrastructure residents rely on every day. It helps keep roads in good repair, parks open and accessible, transit moving and recreation programs available. It supports emergency services, housing initiatives and the clean, reliable water residents and businesses depend on every day.
Each year, Hamilton develops a budget to maintain services, respond to community needs and invest in the infrastructure that keeps our city moving.
Hamilton prepares two budgets each year:
- Tax-Supported Budget: Funds services such as transit, waste collection, housing, recreation and emergency services. It is funded through property taxes, government grants and user fees.
- Water (Rate) Budget: Funds water, wastewater and stormwater services through water and wastewater rates.
2027 Budget Process
The first step in the budget process is the 2027 Budget Forecast, which provides an early look at the financial pressures, priorities and choices that may influence next year's budget.
The forecast is not the final budget. It is a starting point that helps Council and the public understand the City's financial forecast before budget decisions are made.
Read the 2027 Budget Forecast Report
Budget Forecast
The current forecast reflects an 8.2% average residential tax impact, based on a $127.9 million increase in the net levy for tax supported services and 5.48% combined rate increase for water, wastewater and stormwater services.
While the City's budget forecast has improved, significant pressures remain, including:
The 8.2% figure is an average based on current forecasts and is not a final tax increase. The impact on individual properties will vary based on assessed property value. As the budget process continues, the forecast will evolve as more information becomes available and Council considers options and trade-offs.
Net Levy
The net levy is the amount that must be funded through property taxes after all other sources of revenue, such as grants, fees and user charges, have been applied. Review Budget 101: Understanding Budget Terms
The Budget Forecast is an early financial forecast that helps Council and residents understand the pressures, priorities and choices involved in developing the budget.
It identifies:
- Expected cost increases
- Revenue changes
- Infrastructure needs
- Service pressures
- Emerging priorities
The forecast is not a final budget or tax decision.
Throughout the budget process, Council will consider options and trade-offs related to affordability, service levels, infrastructure investments and community priorities before approving a final budget.
2027 budget timeline will be updated as the process progresses. Dates are subject to change.
- November 2026: Mayor's Water Budget released, including Mayor's Memo
- December 2026: Staff Proposed Tax Supported Budget released
- December 2026: Council considers the Rate Supported Budget
- December 2026: Council approval of the Rate Supported Budget
- December 2026: Water Budget adoption
- January 2027: Mayor's Tax Supported Budget released
- January 2027: Council considers Boards and Agencies, Housing and Healthy & Safe Communities, Corporate Services and City Manager's Office, and Planning and Economic Development and Public Works budgets
- February 2027: Council considers the Tax Supported Budget
- February 2027: Tax Budget adoption
Public delegations: Details will be posted when available.
Residents will have opportunities throughout the budget process to:
- Learn more about the budget
- Understand the choices and trade-offs involved
- Share feedback and priorities
- Participate before decisions are finalized
Further information about the municipal budget and public engagement opportunities will be posted on this page as details become available.
2027 Budget
Reports & Media Releases
Date modified