The Huntingdon town council adopted a $7.29 million balanced budget for 2026 during a special council meeting on January 22.
“A municipal budget is not simply a matter of adding up numbers; it is first and foremost an exercise in prioritization that aims to meet the municipality’s short-term needs, anticipate future needs, and ensure that financial resources are allocated in an optimal manner,” said Mayor André Brunette.
The budget includes an increase of $791,556 over the last fiscal year, with around 67 per cent of the town’s revenue stemming from municipal taxes. In a statement, Brunette noted that the housing and affordability crisis and the general rise in the cost of living has impacted the municipality and was taken into account when establishing tax rates.
“These realities require us to plan and innovate to ensure the financial stability necessary to act sustainably and guarantee quality of life for our citizens,” Brunette said, noting the residential tax variation was increased for the first time in several years, but was limited to an average of 3.3 per cent.
“There have been a lot of expense increases that we have managed to absorb because of the new residences,” said director general Johanne Hébert, but an average tax bill increase of $71 on a $251,900 home assessment was necessary.
Brunette confirmed that while the budget is conservative, several key projects will be prioritized this year in line with the town’s ten-year sustainable development master plan. These include the implementation of a revitalization plan for the downtown area, an active transportation plan, and the establishment of a community centre to meet the population’s social and recreational needs.
The budget also includes investments to modernize and maintain municipal infrastructure, including just over $1.77 million in spending in 2026, of which $913,000 will be financed through grants.
Projects include road maintenance, the purchase of breathing apparatuses for the fire department as well as a generator, and work to the replace the generator at the filtration plant and electrical system upgrades, which will be covered entirely by the Programme de Transfert pour les Infrastructures d’Eau et Collectives du Québec (TECQ) 2024-2028.
Around $356,600 in repair work at the town hall is planned for the doors, windows, and exterior wooden features, which will be paid for through the Programme Municipal en Restauration de Biens Patrimoniaux. The town is also investing in road infrastructure for the first phase of the Highland residential development project which is also scheduled to begin this year, along with drainage work in the ditch on a section of Ridge Road.
According to the triennial capital investment plan, the total spending on infrastructure over three years will be just under $6.77 million, including over $3.9 million in 2027 alone on the Highland residential project as well as significant work to replace water and sewer systems on Hunter Street.
Brunette said that while not included in the three-year plan, the town will be looking into the redevelopment of François-Cleyn Street. This will require a needs analysis to ensure the road is both functional and safe for all users as new businesses are expected to open along this already busy span.
The town is looking into possible grants to assist with these costs, but at a minimum, plans will involve the installation of a sidewalk and lighting, he confirmed.