Port Colborne adopts Mayor Steele’s 2026 budget

Port Colborne officially has an operating budget for 2026, with property taxes poised to rise 3.87 per cent. 

A special meeting of Port Colborne’s City Council was held on Nov. 4, where Mayor Bill Steele’s budget was adopted, in line with his strong mayor powers. Both Steele’s operating and capital budgets were adopted by Council, with very minor friendly amendments. 

The average household can expect to see property taxes rise by about $90 due to the Port Colborne portion of the municipal property tax bill, although residents will ultimately learn just how much their property taxes will rise next year once Niagara Region settles on its plans for 2026.

Some of the major items in the budget include $6 million for watermain lining over the next three years; $3 million for a new ladder truck for the fire department; $1 million for healthcare initiatives over the next three years; $732,000 for sidewalk upgrades; $616,000 to replace the roof at the Roselawn Centre; and $185,000 for improvements at Vale Health and Wellness Centre/YMCA, among others. 

“This budget continues on the great momentum we have experienced in recent years with investments in infrastructure, public amenities, and community well-being,” said Mayor Bill Steele. “We are prioritizing smart, sustainable spending that balances the needs of our growing community with our responsibility to keep Port Colborne affordable for residents.”

However, costs for residents are expected to increase more significantly when it comes to water and wastewater. 

According to the City, for the typical household, water and wastewater charges will increase by about $180 next year, or 8.89 per cent. This accounts for an increase in Niagara Region’s water and wastewater charges of 9.05 per cent. 

Council and the Port Colborne community are entitled to a 30-day review period of Steele’s budget, which began when it was presented on Oct. 6. Because no unfriendly amendments were made to the budget during the 30-day period, there was no need for Steele to consider vetoes or for Council to try to override a mayor’s veto. 

Without contested amendments, under strong mayor powers the mayor’s budget is deemed to be adopted after the 30-day review period. 

Nov. 4 represented the end of the 30-day review period for Steele’s budget. Council met on that date and passed eight minor amendments to Steele’s budget. Steele was prepared to accept the amendments and did not try to veto them, so the budget was deemed adopted at the end of the Nov. 4 meeting.