On February 4, 2026, the Lambton County Council approved a $321.9 million budget that includes a 3.72 per cent property tax increase for residents and businesses across Lambton County. The new spending plan was finalized after 80 minutes of discussion, which council members noted was a much faster process than in previous years.
The tax change will add an extra $19.49 to the annual tax bill for every $100,000 of a home’s assessed value. Warden Kevin Marriott stated that the 2026 increase is lower than the hikes seen in 2024 and 2025, which may provide some relief to local taxpayers who are currently dealing with the high costs of daily living.
A large portion of the budget is dedicated to community services and infrastructure, including $6 million for affordable housing initiatives. The plan also includes money to design a new roundabout to improve safety at the intersection of Petrolia Line and Kimball Road and provides $263,000 to help the City of Sarnia hire more planning staff to manage local building projects.
Council members also approved a $1.5 million funding package to keep the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park operational. While there was debate regarding the facility’s historical need for financial support, the funds were granted to maintain the innovation centre while the county performs a review of how the site is managed.
