Council this Week: Highlights from the November 12 County Council agenda - 20251112

11/07/2025

News and Events News and Releases Council this Week

2026 Business Plan and Budget, water and wastewater rates and more

County Council meetings are broadcast live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream. To download the full agenda or view past recordings of council meetings, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/council.

2026 Business Plan and Budget

Oxford County Council receives the Draft 2026 Business Plan and Budget at the November 12 council meeting. The Draft Budget puts forward a proposed general levy 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.

These figures are estimates only and subject to change through the budget process and with the final MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) assessment roll released at the end of the year.

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 special budget meetings take place on November 13 and 24 and are streamed live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream. The presentation of the budget package on November 12 is the first step in Council's review and discussion of the budget and new initiatives. 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.

For more information and updates visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/2026budget

CS 2025-29 – 2026 Business Plans and Budget | Draft 2026 Business Plan and Budget document | Presentation

CS 2025-30 - 2026 Oxford County Library Business Plan and Budget

2026 Water and wastewater rates

County Council receives the preliminary 2026 water and wastewater rates next Council meeting. The proposed rates, which go into effect January 1 if approved, would result in a change for the average residential customer ranging from a $30.48 reduction to an increase of $96.12 for the year, depending on the municipal water or wastewater system.

Water and wastewater services and infrastructure in each system are fully funded through the utility charges paid by the residents connected to that system.

CS 2025-32 - 2026 Water and Wastewater Rates

Questions or comments?

Council this Week previews the Oxford County Council meeting agenda for residents, community partners and employees. Please send your questions and comments to communications@oxfordcounty.ca

Council this Week: Highlights from the November 12 County Council agenda - 20251112

2026 Business Plan and Budget, water and wastewater rates and more

2026 Business Plan and Budget

2026 Water and wastewater rates

Other reports and presentations

Questions or comments?