North Bay, ON – Feb. 2, 2026 – North Bay Council has set the financial direction for the City for the upcoming year with the approval tonight of the 2026 operating and capital budgets.
The approved budgets provide for ongoing reinvestment in municipal infrastructure and maintain core municipal services, including road maintenance and garbage collection. The budgets also continue funding for community services delivered by partner agencies, including policing and social services.
“This budget builds on previous years, reflects community priorities, balances rising costs, maintains essential services, and continues critical investment in the infrastructure our community relies on,” said Mayor Peter Chirico. “As this is the final budget of this Council’s term, I want to congratulate Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield for her leadership as Budget Chief.”
The 2026 operating budget totals $179.4 million and is funded through a combination of municipal taxation, grants, user fees, and other revenue sources. It includes a $118.6 million tax levy, representing a 3.95 per cent increase over 2025, or $4.5 million.
Of the total levy increase, 1.32 per cent supports City operations, while 2.63 per cent supports services delivered by external partners.
The operating budget also includes the use of approximately $3.6 million from the City’s Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to help offset cost pressures and reduce the impact on taxpayers.
“The availability of reserves played a key role in limiting the tax levy increase,” said Deputy Mayor Horsfield. “The City did not need to draw fully on reserves as planned last year and received additional WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) rebates, which put us in a strong position for the use of more reserves this year to help offset rising costs.”
For the average homeowner, the approved increase amounts to about $9.92 per month, or $119 annually. Property taxes for 2026 are based on 2016 assessments, with the average North Bay home valued at $227,000.
The 2026 capital budget totals $82.7 million, with $59.6 million allocated to general capital projects and $23.1 million dedicated to water and wastewater infrastructure. Approximately 34 per cent of the capital budget is funded through grants and third-party contributions, helping reduce pressure on local taxpayers while advancing essential infrastructure improvements.
The capital budget is guided by key municipal planning documents, including the Asset Management Plan, and includes investments in critical infrastructure, community development, and support for external partners, such as funding toward the redevelopment of Cassellholme Home for the Aged.
Other key projects include the construction of a second watermain feeding the Ellendale Reservoir to minimize the risk of water supply interruptions, asphalt resurfacing, the replacement of the Premier Road pumping station, the realignment of the Laurentian Avenue intersection, and additional improvements along Trout Lake Road.
“This budget reflects the realities facing municipalities across Ontario: increasing service demands, aging infrastructure, and limited revenue tools. Within these constraints, the City has taken a measured approach that balances immediate operational needs with long-term fiscal health,” said Deputy Mayor Horsfield.
To learn more about the 2026 budget, please visit: https://northbay.ca/budget2026