It was a matter of changes, but no changes.
An Alnwick Haldimand Township special council meeting on May 29, 2026, addressed the adoption of the 2026 tax rates without any changes to the levy.
Treasurer Paul Davidson clarified a $2.52 million tax levy error, correcting the final amount to $9.25 million. However, the residential tax rate remains at the same at 0.06992825.
Councillors discussed the need for clearer budget documentation, suggesting a written explanation of the correction on the township’s website.
A request was made to review options for clarifying the discrepancy between the tax levy amounts in the bylaw and the budget book. Councillors debated the need for explanatory notes to the 2025 and 2026 budgets or using the website. Staff will report back with recommendations.
Another suggestion was to add a brief explanatory paragraph on the township’s website finance page, clarifying how the 2026 tax levy and infrastructure levy are calculated and reconciled with the budget book.
In the future, it was suggested the 2027 and subsequent budget books show the full tax levy, including the infrastructure levy, clearly showing the “raised by taxation” table, eliminating the need for council members and the public to perform additional calculations.
The meeting confirmed the 5.09% tax rate increase and approved Bylaw 2026-38 and Bylaw 2026-42.
The full debate:
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