• Stouffville has launched its 2026 budget engagement campaign, encouraging public input through surveys, events, and interactive tools.
  • An online survey is now open, with participants eligible to win a $100 gift card to local businesses.
  • Residents can speak directly with the Town’s budget team at community events in July and August.
  • A virtual budget simulator allows users to explore spending trade-offs by allocating a fictional $1,000.
  • Mayor Lovatt will host a town hall in September to gather resident feedback and answer questions.

 

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is asking residents to help shape the next municipal budget through a multi-stage public engagement campaign. An online survey is now open on the Town’s website, and participants can be entered into a draw to win a $100 gift card redeemable at local businesses.

Residents will also have an opportunity to speak directly with the Town’s budget team at community events, including Library Discovery Day on July 5, Symphony in the Park on July 18, and the Stouffville Market on August 16. Mayor Iain Lovatt is expected to host a town hall this September to gather feedback and respond to residents’ questions and priorities.

An interactive budget simulator has also launched, allowing users to allocate a fictional $1,000 across various service areas and explore how spending decisions impact overall priorities. Submitted responses will be aggregated and posted on the Town’s budget engagement page.

Under Ontario’s Strong Mayor Powers legislation, Mayor Iain Lovatt holds the authority to propose the municipal budget and veto Council amendments. Council may override any veto with a two-thirds majority vote. The framework, implemented in Stouffville in October 2023, is intended to support faster and more efficient decision-making.

“While I have the authority to propose the budget under the Strong Mayor framework, community input remains essential,” Lovatt said in a recent press release. “This is still your budget.”

The Town collects property taxes on behalf of three levels of government. Approximately 34 percent of each property tax bill supports Town services, 43 percent goes to York Region, and the remaining 23 percent funds Ontario’s education system.

Stouffville’s budget is made up of several components. The operating budget funds daily services such as snow clearing, fire protection, and waste collection, and is primarily supported by property taxes and user fees. The capital budget covers long-term infrastructure projects including roadwork and Town facilities, and is funded through a mix of development charges, reserve transfers, grants, and debt.

Stouffville also manages a separate water and wastewater budget, which is funded through user rates rather than property taxes. These charges cover the delivery of clean water, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management. A fixed quarterly infrastructure fee, based on meter size, provides a stable source of funding for long-term system maintenance and upgrades.

Municipalities in Ontario are required by law to approve a balanced budget, meaning they cannot plan for a deficit or surplus. However, any surplus realized at the end of the year may be allocated to reserve accounts. These reserves provide financial stability and help safeguard against unforeseen costs or future infrastructure needs.

“Municipal budgets are more than numbers, they represent the services and spaces that impact our everyday lives,” Lovatt also said. “The 2026 budget should reflect the values and aspirations of our community, and we are committed to listening and responding.”