On August 21, 2025, City Council approved the 2026 Tax Levy By-law during a regular meeting in the Council Chambers. The vote completes the final legislative step needed to collect property tax revenue for the upcoming year.
Under the Municipal Act, 2001, the City must pass a tax rate by-law each year. This by-law sets the exact rates used to calculate your property tax bill and ensures the City collects the money approved in the 2026 Budget. It also accounts for requisitions, which are mandatory contributions collected on behalf of other organizations. Requisitions make up roughly 25 per cent of an average residential tax notice and fund services like public schools, Tamsin Valley Public Health, the Wrenford Public Library Board, and the Wrenford Police Service.
For 2026, the City’s portion of property taxes will increase by 3.8 per cent. This follows careful planning to keep service levels steady while managing rising costs for materials and labour. Because tax notices include both the municipal rate and requisitions, your total tax bill will reflect a slightly higher overall increase. On an average assessed property, the City’s portion adds about $38.00 a year, or roughly $3.17 a month.
“Passing the tax rate by-law is a key administrative step that keeps our city running,” said Robert Eng, City Manager. “The revenue we collect funds the day-to-day operations you rely on, from road maintenance and transit to parks and public safety. We have balanced these rates against a strong assessment base to protect residents while investing in long-term infrastructure.”
Property taxes remain the City’s largest source of operating revenue, covering about 42 per cent of the total budget. That funding supports essential services across all six wards, including garbage and recycling collection, winter snow removal, water treatment, and community programs. The approved rates also contribute to reserve funds that pay for major equipment replacements and emergency repairs.
If you have questions about your 2026 tax bill, payment options, or pre-authorized plans, visit the Property Tax page. You can also review the full View the current annual budget or see how the City plans its spending in the Budget section.