The City of Niagara Falls has released a first look at its proposed 2026 budget, which outlines how much money the city plans to raise through property taxes and how it compares to last year.
Under Ontario’s “strong mayor” rules, the mayor is required to put forward a draft budget before February 1, and this is that proposal.
City staff had suggested higher tax increases, but the mayor reduced them, lowering the proposed increase for day-to-day city services and for long-term projects. City staff initially recommended a 4.48% increase to the operating levy and a 3% increase to the capital levy.
However, the mayor reduced the proposal to a 2.93% operating levy increase and a 2% capital levy increase.
The full budget will be presented to city council for discussion at a meeting on January 27.
(Written by: Brandon Warby)