2027 City Budget

The City’s budgets are strategic documents that support municipal service delivery and the achievement of Council's strategic priorities. Unlike provincial and federal government levels, municipalities are not allowed to budget for deficits. This means we must balance our annual budgets so that money coming in equals money going out.
This challenges us to find cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable solutions to funding our capital and operating expenses.

Based on a variety of community engagement and other resident input, Council establishes the city’s strategic priorities and service levels. Departmental work plans and supporting budgets are developed to achieve these initiatives and to support the ongoing operation of City facilities, services, and programs.

With the municipal election scheduled for later this fall, the process for an updated Council Strategic Plan is expected to begin in early 2027.

Find budget and financial statement documents from 2021 to present.

Our budgets

Under the Strong Mayor Powers legislation, the budget is proposed by the Mayor and provided to Council for their consideration, in accordance with Section 284.16 of the Municipal Act, 2001.

The Mayor’s proposed 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets included: 

  • A municipal operating budget of $530.4 million. 
  • A 3.75% tax increase which is comprised of a municipal tax rate increase of 1.35%, 1% for capital purposes, and 1.4% for external agencies.
  • A municipal capital budget of $135.8 million, including increased investment in: Transportation and related infrastructure of $75 million, and affordable and supportive housing of $10 million.

Council amended the proposed municipal operating budget by allocating $100,000 for arts-related work, funded from the Working Fund Reserve.

In accordance with the Mayor’s direction, Kingston’s 2026 property tax increase remains among the lowest of other larger cities in Ontario.

Review the 2026 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets to learn more.

The City’s budgets are strategic documents that support municipal service delivery and the achievement of Council's strategic priorities. Unlike provincial and federal government levels, municipalities are not allowed to budget for deficits. This means we must balance our annual budgets so that money coming in equals money going out.
This challenges us to find cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable solutions to funding our capital and operating expenses.

Based on a variety of community engagement and other resident input, Council establishes the city’s strategic priorities and service levels. Departmental work plans and supporting budgets are developed to achieve these initiatives and to support the ongoing operation of City facilities, services, and programs.

With the municipal election scheduled for later this fall, the process for an updated Council Strategic Plan is expected to begin in early 2027.

Find budget and financial statement documents from 2021 to present.

Our budgets

Under the Strong Mayor Powers legislation, the budget is proposed by the Mayor and provided to Council for their consideration, in accordance with Section 284.16 of the Municipal Act, 2001.

The Mayor’s proposed 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets included: 

  • A municipal operating budget of $530.4 million. 
  • A 3.75% tax increase which is comprised of a municipal tax rate increase of 1.35%, 1% for capital purposes, and 1.4% for external agencies.
  • A municipal capital budget of $135.8 million, including increased investment in: Transportation and related infrastructure of $75 million, and affordable and supportive housing of $10 million.

Council amended the proposed municipal operating budget by allocating $100,000 for arts-related work, funded from the Working Fund Reserve.

In accordance with the Mayor’s direction, Kingston’s 2026 property tax increase remains among the lowest of other larger cities in Ontario.

Review the 2026 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets to learn more.

Page last updated: 10 Jul 2026, 03:59 PM