Tillsonburg residents now have a chance to help shape county spending for next year. Oxford County has opened its 2027 Budget Survey, inviting everyone across its eight municipalities to share which services matter most to them. The survey, available through the county’s Speak Up, Oxford! platform, runs until August 31, 2026.
The questionnaire covers both local services like fire protection, parks, and by-law enforcement, and county-wide responsibilities such as roads, waste collection, paramedic services, and long-term care at Woodingford Lodge. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes to complete.
This year’s input carries extra weight because the 2027 budget will be the first handled by a brand new council. The October 26, 2026 municipal election will bring fresh faces to the table, with current Warden Marcus Ryan already announcing he won’t seek re-election. Ryan said gathering public priorities early means incoming councillors can review them right away in December.
Last year, the budget survey drew 1,550 responses, a 36 percent jump from the year before, with more than 720 written comments. Paramedic services topped the list of community priorities at 43 percent, while affordable housing ranked second. Infrastructure, long-term care, and waste management also made the top seven.
Oxford County’s approved 2026 budget totalled $406.1 million, combining a $278.2 million operating budget with $127.9 million in capital projects. For Tillsonburg and most other municipalities, the county portion of property taxes rose 5.3 percent, which worked out to about $77 more per year or $7 a month. The survey gives residents a direct line to influence how those dollars get spent in the future.
