The town of Fort Frances is eying an operating budget of over $25 million.
It includes a 3.7 percent increase to the municipal tax rate.
The dollar impact on households was not immediately released.
Treasure Dawn Galusha says the rate for ratepayers is actually lower.
“Although the municipal rate would be up 3.7% because the education rate does not change, the overall tax increase would be 3.45% with this budget,” says Galusha.
The town expects to draw in more than $14 million in property taxes.
Another $4.2 million comes in the form of provincial transfer funds through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund.
The town also expects another $2 million in user fees and $1 million in landfill tipping fees.
With additional revenue sources in the form of grants, donations and rents, total revenue is expected to be 9% higher than it was in 2025.
Expenses are anticipated to increase 6.5%.
Galusha says the biggest hit to the town is payments to agencies it has no control over.
“You can see that our overall, as we call it, uncontrollable expenses are $6,260,721,” says Galusha.
“The increase year-over-year makes up the majority of our increase for 2026.”
Payments to the Northwestern Health Unit are up 4%, 4.3% to the District of Rainy River Services Board, 2.7% to the fees paid to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, and 11.5% for policing services provided by the Ontario Provincial Police.
The town did save some money on police when the government stepped in to cap costs.
Town council is expected formally approve the budget at their meeting on February 9th.
