Please be informed that on December 22, 2025, Calmar’s Council adopted an interim operating budget for the years 2026-2029. The finalization of this budget will occur once the town has received and reviewed the assessment information and established its new mill rate bylaw, anticipated to take place between March and April 2026. Below are some key highlights from the interim budget:

For the year 2026, the total budget is set at $7,718,786, reflecting a slight decrease from the 2025 operating budget of $7,737,123. Importantly, the interim budget does not entail any reduction in service levels. The interim budget projects a surplus for each year from 2026 to 2029. This surplus has been deliberately planned to account for significant expenses that will be identified in 2026, prior to Council passing the final budget. The surplus will enable Council to adjust the budget while managing these upcoming expenses efficiently.

Council has outlined two primary priorities for the adoption of the final budget next spring. The first priority is to reduce the residential mill rate, thereby aiming to lower the cost of living for residents. The second priority is to maintain robust transfers to the reserves, particularly the infrastructure reserve. This measure is intended to ensure that adequate funds are available for the repair and maintenance of essential infrastructure, such as roads, water, and sanitation systems within the community.

Mayor Krista Gardner states “This interim budget demonstrates Council’s careful and responsible approach to managing taxpayer dollars. We are focused on reducing Calmar’s mill rate to reduce costs to our residents and maintain competitiveness within our region while also continuing to invest in reserves that support the renewal and maintenance of our infrastructure. This balanced approach helps protect affordability today and the reliability of our services into the future.”