City of Cornwall 2026 General Taxation and Water/Wastewater Budgets Adopted

The City of Cornwall confirms that the 2026 General Taxation and Water/Wastewater Budgets have been officially adopted.

On January 12, 2026, Mayor Justin Towndale opted to not exercise his Strong Mayor Powers and not veto the amendment passed by Council at the January 7, 2026 Special Budget Meeting. As a result, the 2026 Budget is now in effect.

2026 Levy and Rate Impacts

• The general tax levy will increase by 5.41%.
• For the average residential property assessed at $176,700, this represents an increase of $165.94 (5.34%) when compared to the 2025 tax levy.
• Water and Wastewater billings will increase by 6.81% overall.
• For flat-rate (per fixture) customers, the increase is 5.49%, which represents an estimated annual increase of approximately $60, depending on the number of fixtures in the home.

Key Budget Highlights Organized by Council’s Four Strategic Pillars

Pillar 1: Housing for All

• Housing Services Capital Program including:
  • Replacement of gas furnaces with energy efficient heat pumps which will result in future savings.
  • Capital renewal and lifecycle repairs across the 25 community housing properties.
• Continued implementation of homelessness support, including current prevention strategies and winter support strategies like warming centres.

Pillar 2: Community Connections

• $150,000 in playground upgrades at Broadview Park and Reg Campbell Park.
• Glen Stor Dun Lodge enhancements include window tinting in resident rooms, new electric beds, replacement of the nurse call bell system, and the creation of a multi‑sensory therapeutic room.
• $7.5 million in roadwork investments, including asphalt resurfacing on select streets across the City and active transportation improvements, including enhanced bicycle infrastructure.
• Transit Services investments including the purchase of four specialized transit buses.
• A financial contribution of $50,000 provided to Centre 105 to assist with their programs.

Pillar 3: Achieve Net‑Zero by 2050

• Water Purification Plant upgrades include the replacement of Filter 3 & 4 media with granular activated carbon, improving efficiency and reducing chemical use.
• Engineering design for a new, more efficient filter backwash pumping system.
• Septage Receiving Station construction to eliminate leachate‑based receiving processes and improve environmental protection.

Pillar 4: Cornwall – Future Ready

• $2.8 million in watermain re-lining on Fourth Street East (multiple segments), Second Street East, Marlborough Street, Carleton Street, and Aubin Avenue improving water quality and reliability.
• $3 million in projects combining water, wastewater, and roads rehabilitation on First Street West – Cumberland to Bedford, First Street East – Adolphus to Gloucester, and Victoria Avenue – First Street East to South Limits.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant modernization including equipment supply and construction of an odour control unit.
• Sewer network improvements including multiple sanitary, storm, and spot repair projects.

The 2026 budget documents and Strong Mayor directions are posted on the City’s website for public access at: www.cornwall.ca