The Town of Milton is asking residents, businesses, and community groups to share their spending priorities for next year’s budget through an online survey. The feedback will help council decide where to direct tax dollars for services like transit, fire protection, recreation programs, and road maintenance. Residents have until August 21 to have their ideas included in a staff report to council in September, but comments will still be accepted through mid-January 2027.
The town launched its public engagement campaign on July 2 through the Let’s Talk Milton platform. Feedback collected by the August deadline will directly shape the Budget Call Report that goes to council on September 14. Even comments submitted after that date will still be shared with councillors before they finalize the budget on January 25, 2027.
The budget process is guided by the town’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, which focuses on investing in people, improving technology, maintaining quality facilities, connecting transit networks, and planning for growth. Milton remains one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities, with its population expected to jump from roughly 133,000 today to more than 400,000 by 2051. That rapid expansion means constant pressure on local infrastructure and services, which drives the need for community input on where money should go.
This year’s budget engagement comes at a time when property taxes have climbed steeply. During the current council term, which ends this fall, local taxes have risen 34.7 per cent. The town’s 2026 budget included a $236.1 million operating budget and a $125.8 million capital budget, with the town’s share of residential property taxes rising nearly seven per cent. Mayor Gord Krantz, Canada’s longest-serving mayor, has consistently criticized the tax hikes even while voting in favour of the budgets each year.
Residents who want to weigh in can visit the Let’s Talk Milton website and complete the survey at any time during the consultation period. The town says all ideas will be reviewed by staff and presented to council ahead of final budget decisions early next year.
