Budget 2026: Public Consultation Open
The City of Hamilton will host an in-person budget feedback session at the Carlisle Community Centre on September 19
The City of Hamilton is asking for input from residents, businesses, and community groups to help identify key investment priorities, while balancing the need for affordability in today’s challenging economic climate.
As part of the City of Hamilton’s 2026 budget process, the City has launched a series of public engagement opportunities to provide residents with information about the budget planning process and provide residents an opportunity to share priorities to help guide planning for the 2026 budget.
From September 15-October 10, 2025, residents are encouraged to participate in the following public engagement opportunities:
In-Person or Virtual Budget Engagement Session: Residents will learn about the budget planning process, how programs and services are prioritized, have the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions.
2026 Budget Survey: Residents can participate in our budget survey where they will be asked about what matters most to them and their community, either online or in-person at the sessions.
Engage Hamilton: Residents can go online to Engage Hamilton and take part in our online survey, explore a variety of interactive tools including the Balancing Act Budget Tool and take quick polls.
Direct Feedback Form: Residents can provide direct feedback using our online form or at an in-person session.
Visit engage.hamilton.ca to find the online tools and information.
Engagement Session Details
The City will be hosting six in-person and one virtual session. Each session will include remarks from Mayor Horwath, a presentation from the City of Hamilton’s Finance Division, and a Q&A. Members of the City’s leadership team will also be available to meet with residents and answer questions pertaining to their program areas.
In Ward 15, an in-person session will be held on Friday, September 19 from 6-7:30pm at the Carlisle Community Centre (1496 Centre Rd).
Understanding the City Budget
The City uses two separate budgets to manage how services are funded:
Rate-Supported Budget: Covers water, wastewater, and stormwater services. These are funded through user fees, not property taxes.
Tax-Supported Budget: Covers the day-to-day operations of most City services (like transit, fire, parks, and waste collection), as well as major infrastructure projects. This is funded mainly through property taxes and other revenues like grants or user fees for programs.
Keeping these budgets separate helps the City clearly show how different services are funded and ensures accountability for each funding source.
The City of Hamilton is asking for community input to inform the Tax-Supported (tax) budget. The tax budget has two main parts:
Operating Budget
Covers the day-to-day costs of running the City.
Funds services like garbage collection, transit, fire, libraries, parks, and recreation.
Includes normal annual expenses such as staff wages, supplies, fuel, and utilities.
Planned annually and guided by each department’s business plan.
Funding source: Operating costs are mostly paid for through property taxes, user fees, and government funding.
Capital Budget
Covers big, long-term investments in City infrastructure.
Funds projects like road repairs, building new community centres, replacing water mains, or buying transit vehicles.
These are large, one-time costs that have a benefit lasting more than a year.
Planned over multiple years with a long-term outlook.
Funding source: Capital projects may use funding from reserves, grants, and development charges.
Visit engage.hamilton.ca for more information.
