Lambton County Council has approved a 2026 budget of $321.9 million, with a 3.72 per cent tax increase.
The tax hike amounts to an increase of $19.49 per $100,000 of residential assessment.
Warden Kevin Marriott said he was pleased to see the budget come in at under four per cent.
"I know taxpayers are having a hard time with the way things are going, but with the needs of all the divisions, I believe that this was the best that was possible," Marriott said. "I believe a budget under four per cent is something we can live with for 2026."
The approved budget is only slightly higher than the initial proposed increase of 3.48 per cent.
After much debate, council agreed to throw a lifeline to support the County of Lambton Community Development Corporation (CLDC) Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park.
A request to refinance the $17 million debt over a 30 year amortization period did not sit well with most members of council.
"I can't sit here today and say it's a good deal to invest 30 years into something that's not working," said Dawn-Euphemia Mayor Al Broad.
Councillor Bill Dennis said the county has already provided $11 million to support the research park.
"I cannot in good conscience commit any more money to this endeavour," said Dennis. "I certainly cannot fault the original concept, I truly believe it was done with all the best intentions, but it simply hasn't been a successful endeavour."
Brooke-Alvinston Mayor David Ferguson proposed the notion of reviewing the governance model and making changes as needed.
Warwick Mayor Todd Case said while he thinks there's merit to having the board come up with a new model, it isn't fair to cut the CLDC off financially right now.
"We need to find a way to be able to fund them until we have this discussion around how the board functions, how it's made up," Case said.
To accommodate the research park's short-term needs, the CLDC will receive up to $845,603 through reserve funding.
County Treasurer Karen Bettridge said the CLDC will also receive $653,156 in grant funding this year.
County council also agreed to pay an additional $238,890 to support the City of Sarnia's Planning and Development Services department. The plan is to have a superintendent of Planning and Development Services position begin in 2026 and a planner position to start in 2027.
Manager of Development Services Corrine Nauta said the city has agreed to set up a reserve that will be monitored by the county.
"It's through the spirit of the city-county agreement where we are to fund their planning department, hence the ask of why it comes to us and they don't fund the employee separately," said Nauta.
In terms of infrastructure, St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar was pleased to see design work taking place this year for a roundabout at the intersection of Petrolia Line and Kimball Road. Construction is scheduled to take place in 2027.
"In the meantime, at my last OPP Board meeting ... it was brought to my attention that the intersection is number two in fatalities for all of Lambton County," Agar said.
A revised motion from Agar was approved to have staff return to council with options to make the stop signs more visible until the roundabout is completed.
The 2026 budget includes $6 million for affordable housing, $3 million toward the reserve, and $3 million to advance housing initiatives.
Chief Administrative Officer Stéphane Thiffeault said the amount allocated to the affordable housing reserve was reduced based on anticipated projects at this point in time and the intention to pursue upper levels of government funding for these projects.
In response to a question from Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Social Services General Manager Melissa Fitzpatrick said they couldn't provide an exact closure date for the overflow shelter on Exmouth Street in Sarnia, as demand is still high due to the current freezing cold temperatures. However, the plan is still to begin winding down operations as soon as possible.
"It's a bit premature to say one way or the other, right now," Fitzpatrick said.
The budget was presented one month earlier than usual, as deliberations typically take place in March. Warden Marriott said this will be a permanent change moving forward.
The county's treasurer said the budget includes $273.6 million in operating costs and $48.37 million in capital investments.
County staff said the final version of the 2026 budget will be available through its website in the coming weeks.
