The Town of Deep River, Ontario, has invited residents to a public meeting on February 18, 2026, to review the draft 2026 Operating and Capital Budget. This session is the final opportunity for the community to share input on property tax rates and service levels before Council moves to a final vote. It lets residents review how the town proposes to allocate funding for local services and major projects for the year.
A primary goal for the 2026 budget is addressing the town’s aging infrastructure — notably water mains and roads — a priority underscored by a watermain break on January 24, 2026. The town is also continuing its transition to a composite fire department model (mixing career and volunteer firefighters) aimed at improving response consistency and making emergency costs more predictable.
Officials are using the Town’s Asset Management Plan (Core Assets, 2022) to help identify the most urgent capital projects. While previous years saw property tax increases in the ~4.2% range (the 2024 budget included a 4.2% hike and 2025 followed a similar trajectory), rising policing costs and recommendations from the Town’s 2025 Water and Sewer Rate Study — which the 2026 budget is expected to incorporate — are volatile factors that may affect the final 2026 tax and utility rates. (Readers should consult the Finance Department for the study document and detailed rate schedules.)
The meeting will be held at Town Hall (100 Deep River Road) and will be livestreamed on the Town of Deep River’s YouTube channel. Residents may speak at the meeting or submit written comments to the Clerk’s Office (Jackie Mellon). Detailed proposals, background documents and records of past discussions are available through the Town’s Council Agendas and Minutes portal.
