2026 Tax & Water (Rate) Budget

The City budget shapes the services you rely on every day, such as roads, transit, housing and public health. It is how we invest in Hamilton’s future while keeping life affordable for everyone. Your input and understanding are key to making this process transparent and community-driven.

Budget Basics

Hamilton prepares two budgets each year:

• Tax Budget: Covers services like transit, waste collection, housing, recreation and emergency services. This is funded largely by property tax, government grants and user fees. 
• Water (Rate) Budget: Covers water, wastewater and stormwater services.

Together these budgets fund essential programs and infrastructure that keep our city running.

What’s Happening Now

The City of Hamilton’s 2026 budget process is underway. Public input gathered during the fall engagement period is now helping shape the development of the tax budget, in alignment with the Mayor’s Directive issued on October 7.

Staff Proposed 2026 Tax Budget Released - December 12, 2025

The Proposed Tax Budget for 2026 is now available, providing an early look at the City’s planned spending, priorities and potential impacts on property taxes. As the next step in the annual tax budget process, this draft outlines planned investments in programs, services, and infrastructure that support the community. 

Building on the Mayor’s 2026 Budget Directive and public engagement for this year’s budget, the Staff Proposed 2026 Tax Budget gives Hamilton City Council, residents, businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to review and reflect on proposed investments and related financing plan.

Feedback from residents throughout the year, reinforced during Budget Engagement sessions, underscore the need to prioritize affordability while maintaining critical infrastructure and addressing community safety and well-being. The Staff Proposed 2026 Tax Budget (draft) recognizes the rising costs, economic uncertainty and affordability challenges residents are facing while making strategic investments toward infrastructure renewal, enhanced infrastructure and growth-enabling infrastructure, delivering high-quality services and programs, while also balancing affordability.

Mayor Andrea Horwath will release the proposed budget, including the Mayor’s Report and Tax Supported Budget on or after January 14, 2026. From time of release, Hamilton City Council will consider that Budget within 30 days.

Council will begin reviewing the Water (Rate) Budget in November, followed by the Tax Budget in early 2026. Residents who register will have opportunities to speak to Council during public delegations.

2026 Staff Proposed Tax Supported Budget Book(PDF, 50.89 MB)

2026 Capital Detail Sheets(PDF, 13.79 MB)

Public Delegation

Residents and stakeholders can share their comments on the Mayor’s Report and Tax Supported Budget during Public Delegations on January 19, 2026.

Register to attend a public delegation

Key Dates

• Budget Public Delegation: November 17, 2025
• Staff Tax Budget Release (Draft): December 12, 2025
• Tax Budget Public Delegation: January 19, 2026
• Departmental Presentations and Discussion of Proposed Tax Budget to General Issues Committee: January 27 to 30, 2026
• Final Tax Budget Adoption: February or March 2026

Download the 2026 Budget Flowchart(PDF, 365.6 KB)

Understanding Budget Amendments

A budget amendment is a change proposed by Members of Council to the Mayor’s Budget. Amendments can adjust funding amounts or redistribute resources to better reflect community priorities while keeping the budget balanced and transparent. 

Understanding this process helps residents know how decisions are made and how community input shapes the outcome.

Council Amendments to the Proposed Budget - Guide(PDF, 189.61 KB)

Stay Informed and Get Involved

• Follow us on social media for reminders and resources.
• Share your feedback during public delegations or review the budget engagement tools at engage.hamilton.ca/2026budget.

Together, we can build a budget that reflects Hamilton’s priorities and supports a strong, inclusive community.