On Monday, February 9, 2026, the Wilmot Township Council will hold a special meeting to finalize the 2026 municipal budget. The draft proposes a 9.7 per cent property tax increase for Township residents — including those in New Hamburg, Ontario — and the Council vote will determine how much homeowners pay for local services and which construction projects move forward this year.
The proposed increase is lower than the 18.22 per cent jump residents saw in 2025, which CBC News described as “very difficult medicine” for the community. For the average household the 9.7% increase would add about $288 per year (roughly $24 per month) across property taxes, water and wastewater; the Township-only levy increase is about $231 per year (about $19.25 per month). Those funds are intended in part to address a long‑standing backlog of repairs to local roads, facilities and other infrastructure.
According to the Township of Wilmot, the plan includes just over $12 million (about $12.04 million) to fund 44 capital projects. Mayor Natasha Salonen — who tabled the budget under Ontario’s Strong Mayor framework, as reported by CityNews — framed the proposal as “a responsible plan for today and the future” that seeks to balance repair needs with affordability for residents.
A large share of the proposed capital spending is focused on safety and recreation, including advancing plans for a new New Hamburg fire station and upgrades to the Wilmot Recreation Complex (the local arena). The Township is also preparing for future growth while the Region of Waterloo pursues a land‑assembly program in Wilmot to create shovel‑ready sites intended to attract a major employer and associated industrial development.
