2026 Business Plan and Budget process begins

Oxford County’s first special budget meeting took place this morning, presenting a draft budget to County Council that includes investment in infrastructure, health services, and homelessness response. 

The Draft 2026 Business Plan and Budget puts forward a proposed general levy, the amount of budget funding collected through taxation, of $96.3 million for 2026. After adjustments for library services and court security, this brings forward a projected increase for the County share of municipal property taxes of:

• $66 for the year, or $5.50 per month, for residents of Woodstock, a 5% increase over 2025;
• $75 for the year, or $6.25 per month, for residents of Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Ingersoll, Norwich, South-West Oxford, Tillsonburg and Zorra, a 5.1% increase.

The Draft 2026 Budget is made up of:

• A $277.8 million operating budget to deliver County programs and services, including those that provide affordable housing, support for vulnerable and unhoused people, safe drinking water, traffic calming and road safety, paramedic services, long-term care at Woodingford Lodge, reliable municipal infrastructure, community planning and development, provincial offences administration, County library services, and more.
• A $127.9 million capital plan for municipal infrastructure and $75.3 million in capital reserve transfers for future funding of roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure, facilities, information technology and more, as outlined in the Oxford County's Asset Management Plan.
• A $6.3 million levy (9.5% increase) for Oxford County Library for each municipality except City of Woodstock, which operates Woodstock Public Library. This represents an additional $10 per year for households in those communities. If approved, the proposed library budget will fund permanent programming for the Ox on the Run mobile library unit, which has been operating as a pilot program.
• $61,266 for court security and prisoner transportation paid to City of Woodstock, a decrease of 50.4%, resulting in a residential property tax bill decrease of $1 over 2025.

The budget includes a number of new initiatives, including a Homelessness Support Services Fund, Paramedic Services deployment and facilities review, and the development of a new Official Plan to guide community growth and development. 

If approved, 2026 municipal property taxes would fund just under a quarter of the County budget (23.4%). Other funding sources include provincial and federal funding, reserves (funds earmarked for future expenses), user fees and charges (e.g., water and wastewater rates collected by utilities), and other charges and debentures. 

Oxford County’s second special budget meetings takes place on November 24. All public meetings of Council, including budget meetings, are streamed live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream. Presentations and recordings from special budget meetings are posted online at www.oxfordcounty.ca/2026budget. 

The final 2026 Budget, including any changes resulting from the special budget meetings, is before County Council for final review and approval on December 10, 2025.

Comment

Warden Marcus Ryan, Oxford County

“The annual budget and business planning process is one of the most impactful that County Council undertakes in serving our community. The proposed budget before Council considers the services that address our areas of greatest need: maintaining infrastructure, caring for vulnerable citizens, and managing the significant growth we’ve experienced in recent years. Through the budget process, we’ll have an opportunity to further refine what we deliver to residents in 2026.”

Quick facts

• The annual residential property tax bill issued by your city, town or township is made up of taxes for the services provided by Oxford County, your local municipality, and your local school board.
• Oxford County services that represent the largest investments in 2026 include water and wastewater (28%), roads (19%), long-term care at Woodingford Lodge (11%), and paramedic services (6%).
• Results from the 2026 Budget Survey ranked Paramedic Services as the #1 community priority going into next year’s budget. Other highly ranked County services included affordable housing; municipal infrastructure (roads, bridges, and stormwater); long-term care; and waste management (curbside garbage and recycling collection). Download survey highlights

About Oxford County

Located in southwestern Ontario at the crossroads of Highways 401 and 403, Oxford County has a population of approximately 140,000 people across eight area municipalities that are “growing stronger together.” A partnership-oriented, two-tier municipal government, Oxford County is committed to 100% renewable energy, zero waste, zero poverty, and being 100% housed. Oxford County is situated in one of Ontario’s richest areas for farmland, with a diversified local economy that is home to an innovative agricultural industry, leading automotive manufacturers, and the Oxford County Cheese Trail. Oxford also offers a thriving local arts and culinary community, as well as conservation parks, natural areas and more than 100 kilometres of scenic trails. The County’s Strategic Plan puts forward a vision of “Working together for a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable future.” The Oxford County Administration Building is in Woodstock, Ontario. Visit www.oxfordcounty.ca, follow us on social media, or download our Facts and Stats to learn more.