Budget and Finance

Long-Term Financial Plan

Watch the Long-Term Financial Plan Update Presentation to Council

Press Release: Kawartha Lakes outlines 10-year financial plan

Purpose of the Plan

The Long-Term Financial Plan is not a final decision, but a guideline to help us prepare for the next decade. While no one can predict exactly what we’ll face in 5 or 10 years, we need to plan ahead and adjust as circumstances change. This long-term approach helped the City stay resilient during the pandemic, and it positions us to manage new challenges such as rising costs, economic pressures, and more frequent weather emergencies. The April 2025 ice storm, as an example, could impact tax increases into the double digits, if there were not government grants and/or reserves to help offset the costs. 

The Plan does not replace the annual budget process, nor does it account for decisions made by the Mayor or Council under Strong Mayor legislation, or for grants and funding that we may receive from other levels of government. Each year, the budget is carefully reviewed and adjusted to reflect the current realities and circumstances facing our community.

Building Reserves

A key goal is to strengthen reserves so we can fund future capital projects ourselves and rely less on debt or uncertain government funding. This makes the municipality more resilient and protects core services.

Impact of Grants

Grants are not included in forecasts until confirmed, so current estimates are conservative. For example, when the Emily/Omemee Community Centre received a $1 million grant, it reduced the tax impact in that year. Larger capital grants, when approved, can have even greater impacts.

Impact of Growth

We’ve assumed growth of about 500 new homes per year until 2031. This ensures we plan for required infrastructure, but forecasts are updated annually. If growth slows, projects may be deferred, easing tax pressure in those years.

Rising Costs

Residents are feeling the impacts of rising costs. For municipalities, the impact is even greater because we purchase materials like steel, lumber, and asphalt, which rise faster than consumer goods. While the Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows prices up about 1.7% in the past year, the Non-Residential Building Construction Price Index (NRBCPI), a better measure for municipal costs, rose by 4%, more than double the consumer rate.

Impact on Taxpayers

The impact any year’s budget has on taxpayers is always at the forefront. For context, in 2025, the 6.2% increase on the average assessed home value of $267,000 was about $175 annually.

Affordability

Mayor and Council are mindful of the financial pressures households face. As we move into the 2026 Budget process, the Budget Committee will carefully weigh spending requests against community needs, always seeking a balance between fiscal responsibility and the services our growing community requires.

Long-Term Capital Project Forecast

Projects from 2026 to 2030

Mayoral Decision 04-2025 Advanced Approval to 2026 Budget Items

Budget Committee Meeting - Budget overview 

2026 Budget Overview and Overall Wage Impacts presentation

Watch the meeting on You Tube

Budget Committee Meeting - Department Presentations Agenda

Corporate Services Departmental Presentation

Community Services Departmental Presentation

Watch the meeting on You Tube

Budget Committee Meeting - Department Presentations Agenda

CAO Departmental Presentation

Engineering and Corporate Assets Departmental Presentation