City of Peterborough Adopts 2026 Budget

The City of Peterborough’s 2026 Budget was adopted during a City Council meeting Monday, setting a financial plan to maintain current service levels and continue investments in municipal infrastructure.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

To help reduce the property tax increase next year, Council supported using an additional $3 million from the Legacy Fund Income Retention reserve account, a reserve fund that holds revenue or interest earned on investments made using the proceeds of the sale of assets of Peterborough Distribution Inc. Council has identified the Legacy Fund Income reserve as a way to reduce the tax increase and recommended several other changes during its budget deliberation meetings in November. The $3 million injection reduced the tax requirement in the 2026 Budget by 1.32 per cent.

The City’s 2026 Budget reflects an operating budget increase of 2.11 per cent, a 2.16 per cent increase for infrastructure and capital needs, a 0.53 per cent increase in the sanitary sewer fee and a 1.76 per cent increase related to external agencies that the City funds.

The 6.56 per cent all-inclusive rate increase, including the municipal, education, and sanitary sewer surcharge rates, amounts to about $28.31 per month for the median residential property.

“Thanks to all residents who called, emailed and spoke to City Council to provide their perspectives on the budget,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Everyone’s input is incredibly helpful to meet our service requirements and ensure that our capital investment is sufficient to repair, rebuild and renew Peterborough’s capital infrastructure.”

The 2026 Budget includes $453.9 million in municipal services spending and $139.2 million in capital investments. The $453.9 million is funded by $255.5 million in revenue from non-municipal property tax sources, including user fees, grants from other governments, recoveries, interest on investments and service charges, resulting in a tax requirement of $198.4 million.

Capital projects include the police station renovation and expansion, the Lansdowne Street West between Spillsbury Drive and Clonsilla Avenue, the Wastewater Treatment Plant revitalization, the extension of a taxiway at the Peterborough Regional Airport, road paving, the purchase of transit buses and water service distribution infrastructure.

A breakdown of the municipal tax dollars:

• 25.9 per cent - outside/external organizations, such as police, paramedics, and public health

• 23.9 per cent - Community Services, such as social services, housing, fire services, parks, cultural services, the library, the museum and the art gallery

• 18.2 per cent - Municipal Operations, such as public works, winter control, transit and the airport

• 16.5 per cent - financial services, which includes financing costs for major infrastructure projects

• 6.1 per cent - Finance and Corporate Support Services, which includes the City’s finance administration, emergency management, communications and facilities management

• 5.4 per cent - Infrastructure, Planning and Growth Management, which includes services such as engineering, managing major infrastructure projects, processing planning and building permit applications, physician recruitment and economic development

• 2.2 per cent - Legislative Services, such as the Clerk’s Office, legal services, real estate transactions, the Provincial Offences Act office and by-law enforcement

• 1.4 per cent - Chief Administrative Officer’s office, which includes the City’s People and Culture Division

• 0.4 per cent - City Council

Council made various changes or directions related to the Draft 2026 Budget, such as:

• Reducing the proposed employee benefits cost requirement by $665,000 from what was included in the draft budget documents

• On Nov. 3, Council awarded RFP48-25 for shelter services and daytime drop-in program to One City, which added $1.12 million to the Draft 2026 Budget

• Increasing the net tax levy by $90,137 in 2026 for the Community Development Program to offset a reduced funding from Peterborough County

• Reducing the net tax levy requirement by $204,477 to reflect the increased final current value assessments from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation

• Deferring until 2027 consideration of a $900,000 project for a public washroom at Jackson Park

• Deferring $25,000 that had been requested to convert a washroom space into a kitchenette at City Hall

• Deferring until 2027 consideration of a $375,000 budget for the Coldsprings Growth Area – Planning Studies

• Extending the Community Service Agreement with Electric City Culture Council (EC3) for Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 2026, including $100,000 for EC3 operations plus $50,000 for EC3 to provide Artsweek and the Individual Artists program, as well as increasing the funding by an additional $25,000 toward the Individual Artists program

• Increasing funding for the Peterborough Public Library collections acquisition by an additional $32,000 funded from the Library Materials Acquisition Reserve

Information on the 2026 Budget is available online. Residents can use the interactive OpenBook tool that is available on the website to view budget information in visual, accessible and easy-to-understand formats with charts, tables and graphs.

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City Hall Council Chambers Open House On Feb. 25

The public are invited to drop in for conversations and light refreshments with Mayor Jeff Leal and City Councillors at an Open House in the Council Chambers at City Hall from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 25.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

“We want to provide another way for residents to visit City Hall, to see the Council Chambers, and to speak with their Council members outside of the typical formal meetings that usually bring us together,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Join us for coffee, tea or juice and local baked goods. This is going to be another huge year for moving projects forward, renewing infrastructure, and delivering critical services. Let’s talk about our community and how we can build a better tomorrow, together.”

The Council Chambers are on the second floor of City Hallwhich can be accessed through the main doors and taking either the central staircase or the adjacent elevator to the second floor. Refreshments will be available in the City Boardroom next to the Council Chambers.

Free public parking is available in the City Hall parking lot when visiting City Hall and on-street parking is permitted in front of City Hall on George Street. 

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Peterborough Homeowners Staring Down a 9.59% Property Tax Hike in 2024

While inflation has taken its toll on household budgets, it’s also hammering the financial books of the city of Peterborough.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

Earlier this week, city staff released the draft 2024 budget. As a result of growing costs, the document proposes an all-inclusive property tax increase of 9.59 per cent in 2024.

So, what does that mean for the average homeowner?

The proposed increase would see your annual property tax bill grow by $167.17 per $100,000 of residential property assessment.

Or, if your property is assessed at $260,000, you would pay an extra $434.61 on your yearly tax bill.

To figure out what the proposal means for you, the city of Peterborough has a tool to help.

Where is the money being spent?

Proposed operating expenses for the city in 2024 will be $359 million ($173.9 million of that will be paid through property taxes).

Proposed capital costs will come in at $128.2 million.

The departments and agencies proposing to spend the most tax dollars include police, the fire department, social services, transit, public works, parks and recreation, and paramedics. Another large expense is capital financing costs.

The entire document is available to view HERE.

What’s causing the increase?

There are a number of reasons for the increase. However, general inflationary pressures are a big reason why.

However, other factors for the rise in costs include:

- Upgrading transit service

- Improving customer service

- Strengthening municipal law enforcement

- Rising policing costs

- Increased insurance costs

What could be cut?

Lowering the proposed increase by 1% would require $1.9 million in reductions. City staff have laid out a laundry list of possible cuts across a variety of departments.

Some of the larger potential areas to save money include (savings in brackets):

- Cancel downtown street surface repair program ($2.3 million)

- Defer traffic calming program ($700,000)

- Defer Towerhill Link Environmental Assessment ($600,000)

- Cancel Service Enhancement Plan ($530,000)

- Defer various new sidewalk installations ($500,000)

- Defer hiring four municipal law enforcement officers ($305,305)  and purchasing two security vehicles ($200,000)

- Full cost recovery of planning applications ($300,000)

- Cut statutory holiday transit service ($190,000)

- Close directly operated child care ($150,000)

- Increase transit fees ($100,000)

Planned Capital Projects

There are 147 capital projects proposed to begin (or be completed) in 2024. The projects come in at a cost of $128.2 million.

Some of those projects include:

- New arena and aquatics complex

- Brealey Drive construction from Lansdowne Street to Sherbrooke Street

- Pavement preservation program

- Lansdowne Street rehabilitation from Park Street to Otonabee River

- Charlotte Street upgrades from Water Street to Park Street

- Transit Garage replacement

- Curtis Creek watershed improvements

- Bonnerworth Park Redevelopment Project

- Downtown street resurface repairs

How to get involved

Nov. 9: Public meeting, brief presentation and opportunity to ask questions, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at McDonnel Street Community Centre, 577 McDonnel St.

Nov. 14: Informal drop-in from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. in the main foyer, at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

Nov. 14: Finance committee will hear from registered delegations, starting at 6 p.m., at City Hall, 500 George St. N. Register at peterborough.ca/delegations or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1820

Nov. 15: Finance committee meeting with outside boards and agencies, but no public delegations. Takes place at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

Nov. 20 to 23: Finance committee reviews and debates draft budget, but no public delegations.

Dec. 11: Council votes final budget. Registered delegations can present beforehand. Takes place at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

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City Council Appoints David Potts As New Commissioner of Legislative Services

City Council has appointed David Potts as the new Commissioner of Legislative Services for the City of Peterborough, effective immediately.

Potts holds a law degree from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) degree from Western University. He is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist, Municipal Law (Local Government). Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The announcement was made at the City Council’s meeting on Monday.

Potts also serves as the City Solicitor for the City of Peterborough, a position he has held since June 2018. Before joining the City of Peterborough, Potts was the City of Oshawa’s legal counsel for 19 years, including 17 years as its City Solicitor.

As the Commissioner of Legislative Services, Potts leads a department that includes Legal Services, the City’s Clerk’s Office, Court Services, Municipal Law Enforcement Services, and Realty Services.

Council has expressed its vision to enhance the delivery of the critical functions within the Legislative Services Department, including bylaw enforcement, to meet the community's needs better moving forward according to Mayor Jeff Leal.

“Dave has the experience and knowledge to lead the department through this exciting period of change,” he said.

“I am looking forward to working with Dave in this senior leadership role and use his knowledge and vast experience in our exciting journey to make the City of Peterborough a future-ready City,” said Jasbir Raina, Chief Administrative Officer.

Legislative Services is a new department for the City of Peterborough, which was created as part of a recent reorganization to position the City to be future-ready, realigning existing divisions, services and programs within the administrative structure of the City of Peterborough according to a press release.

Potts has served as the acting Commissioner of Legislative Services since the department was created on Oct. 2.

As the community positions itself for growth and progress, it will be critical that the City learns from the experiences of other municipalities while simultaneously implementing services in a way that considers the local context for Peterborough, Potts said.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the City’s talented, dedicated group of professionals in my new role as we implement Council’s vision as expressed through its Strategic Plan: Peterborough 2050,” he said. '“I’m grateful to Council and my staff colleagues for this additional opportunity to serve my hometown.”

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City Council Amends By-Law To Allow Tenting On Wolfe Street Municipal Parking Lot

After a City Council meeting on Aug. 5, the City of Peterborough’s Parks and Facilities by-law and Trespass by-law has been temporarily amended to temporarily allow tenting on the Wolfe Street municipal parking lot.

There are beds available within the City’s shelter system which includes 106 beds at four emergency shelters. Last week, there was an average of 40 beds available each night including 27 each night at the overflow shelter bed program. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The lot is at the southeast corner of Aylmer and Wolfe Street where construction of a new Modular Bridge Housing community on the nearby Rehill Parking Lot is occurring.

Allowing tenting on the secondary parking lot at Aylmer and Wolfe Streets helps create a clear, safe work site for the construction of the Modular Bridge Housing community that will include 50 individual units for people experiencing homelessness according to the City.

Tenting remains prohibited on all other City properties, except Beavermead Campground when permitted.

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Jasbir Raina Unanimously Appointed City's New Chief Administrative Officer After Monday's Council Meeting

Peterborough City Council has unanimously approved the appointment of Jasbir Raina as the City of Peterborough’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) effective immediately announce at a Council meeting on Monday night.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Raina began working for the City in June last year as the role of Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services as part of the City’s senior leadership team after working in senior roles at the City of Brampton and the City of Mississauga over the last15 years. He is an engineer and has a Master of Business Administration degree, has extensive professional experience in the public sector in various positions over 30 years.

The CAO is the top administrative position that reports directly to City Council, overseeing the implementation of policies set by Council through the delivery of services by the City of Peterborough’s municipal workforce according to a press release.

“Mr. Raina’s commitment and dedication to the citizens of Peterborough has clearly been demonstrated in his previous role as Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “We look forward to his leadership and guidance in his new role as Chief Administrative Officer.”

Raina replaces Sandra Clancy, who retired as CAO following a 38-year career with the City of Peterborough.

“It is a great honour to lead the team of professional and dedicated staff who are fully committed to delivering services to the City’s residents,” said Raina “I am beyond excited to take on this value-creating role at the City. I would like to thank the Mayor and members of Council for entrusting me to be City’s next CAO. I look forward to working collaboratively with the Mayor, Council, our community, and all stakeholders to advance priorities of Council to build a Future Ready Peterborough.”

Raina’s professional experience includes serving in the following positions:

• Commissioner, Public Works and Engineering, City of Brampton

• Director, Facilities Services/Operations and Maintenance, City of Brampton

• Manager, Capital Planning and Asset Management, City of Mississauga

• Manager, Facilities Operations and Property Management, City of Mississauga

Raina has a Master of Engineering from the Naval Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Athabasca University. He also has a Project Management designation through the Project Management Institute and a law certificate from Harvard University.

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City of Peterborough Official Plan Approved By the Province

The City of Peterborough was notified on April 11 that the Province has approved the City’s new Official Plan with amendments; in effect as of April 11.

photo by Keegan Beekers.

The Plan identifies where various land uses can be located, such as residential, commercial, institutional, employment and open space, plans for the city’s infrastructure needs, identifies and protects the City’s natural heritage system and water resources, and establishes a vision and policies for growing as a complete, vibrant, sustainable, resilient and equitable city. The new Official Plan also provides a framework for future zoning by-law regulations.

It replaces the City’s current Official Plan as well as two former township Official Plans that have remained in effect in areas annexed between 1998 and 2013. 

“The Official Plan is our overarching document to guide growth and development. Our community participated in its drafting to ensure it reflects our collective goals and vision. Growth, investment, employment lands, homes, heritage, and sustainability are all part of the Official Plan,” said Mayor Jeff. “Congratulations to our community, our team at the City of Peterborough, and to the previous Councils that led the creation of this exciting plan.”

The new Official Plan was endorsed by City Council in November 2021 after extensive community consultation and work with various stakeholder groups to draft the document that sets the vision and direction for growth and development for Peterborough to the year 2051. It was submitted to the Province for approval.

“This is an exciting milestone after several years of work to craft the Official Plan with input from residents, developers and community groups. Our Official Plan serves as a foundation for growth and investment in our community. With the Plan amended and approved by the Province, people looking to invest in Peterborough have certainty on the planning direction for the City,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, chair of Council’s Planning Portfolio.

A draft of the new Official Plan was initially released in June 2019 after more than two years of consultation and activity on drafting the document.

The Province explained in its approval that it made amendments to address provincial policy direction related to growth management, housing supply, cultural heritage resources, land use compatibility and the protection of natural heritage features and drinking water.

The Province’s approval is posted online here.

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Peterborough Youth Council Applications Now Open for 2023-2024 Term

The City of Peterborough is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 term of the Peterborough Youth Council.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Young people between the ages of 10 and 21 who live or attend school in Peterborough are invited to apply to become a member of the Council.

The Peterborough Youth Council is a voice for youth in the community. Members can bring their ideas and energy to organizing and being involved in community events.

This is a volunteer position, and the volunteer hours can be used towards students’ Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirement of 40 hours of community involvement.

“The Youth Council is a voice for youth in our community,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, chair of the youth portfolio. “Help us plan events that will resonate with young people in our community. You’ll have fun, meet other young people and gain valuable skills such as organization, communication and teamwork.”

Youth are invited to visit the City’s website to learn more and complete an application. Applications are due by April 28 at 4:30 p.m.

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Peterborough County Council Approves 2023 Budget

The Peterborough County Council has approved the 2023 Budget at Wednesday’s meeting.

photo courtesy of peterborough county council.

The total increase is 4.93 per cent which includes a dedicated infrastructure levy of 2.5 per cent.

“Staff have brought forward an extremely fiscally responsible budget again this year. There are so many outside influences, that are beyond our control and yet together with our Finance Committee, we are bridging the infrastructure gap and fulfilling our mandate to our residents,” said Warden Bonnie Clark.

For 2023, the tax levy increase of 4.93 per cent approximates an increase of $19 per each $100,000 of residential assessment and equates to an approximate 3.9 per cent tax rate increase.

photo courtesy of peterborough county council.

Approximately 51 per cent of the total tax levy increase is dedicated to capital infrastructure, with the remaining 49 per cent supporting County operations and the External/Shared Services.

photo courtesy of peterborough county council.

Each 1 per cent levy increase is equal to approximately $507,000 of additional revenue.

“Our Finance Committee did not lose any momentum even though we had a number of new Councillors on the committee, they grasped the technology and tools quickly. We met our objectives using our system we implemented last year, and things moved very smoothly,” said finance committee chair Councillor Matthew Graham.

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City Council Approves Changes To Garbage Pickup; Clear Bags and Bi-Weekly Trash Pickup

City Council has endorsed adopting the clear bags and bi-weekly trash pickup as part of an the Waste Management Master Plan Update during a meeting on Monday night.

File Photo.

The summary of changes in waste management services are the following:

• Requiring the use of clear garbage bags for waste collection

• Moving to every-other-week residential garbage collection starting Oct. 31 at the same time as the introduction of weekly Green Bin (household organic waste) collection service that will reduce the bulk of current garbage material

• Preparing for the provincially-directed switch to producer-responsible recycling program delivery, instead of it being a municipal service, starting Jan. 1

• Bringing a report to Council in the future to amend the Waste Collection Enforcement By-law to include new definitions of the waste stream, collection requirements, and penalties for non-compliance as an option if public education efforts are not effective in changing disposal behaviours

The changes would result in garbage collection would shift to every other week while Green Bin and Blue Bin collection would be provided weekly.

A ‘clear bag’ program refers to the use of a garbage bag that is transparent or see-through. According to the City, use of clear bags for garbage encourages waste diversion in several ways:

• Clear bag Programs improves worker safety and allows Transfer Station attendants the ability to conduct a quick assessment of the contents within the clear bag(s) to ensure that no recyclable or hazardous items are in the bag.

• Clear bags can serve as a reminder if people forget to separate out these materials from their garbage, as the clear bag allows residents to see what is being thrown out.

• Clear bags prompt people to reflect on their waste disposal habits and encourage them to consider waste diversion options.

• Clear bags can assist in with the enforcing of municipal material disposal bans by allowing waste collectors to monitor for compliance and reject any bags containing banned items.

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