Timeline and Process
Budget Spotlights 2026 #0: Intro
The annual budget process for 2026 is scheduled to begin in July of 2025, so that adequate time and attention can be given to proactive and informed budgeting. The budget schedule includes milestones for community stakeholders, Council, senior staff, and the Finance Department. We are aiming for final adoption of the budget in December of 2025 so that we can begin the new year with a budget and plan in place.
Identified stakeholders in the 2026 budget process include residents and community partners, Council, senior staff, and the municipality’s Finance Department. A collaborative approach to development and adoption of the budget will help us consider the priorities and planning that meet the needs of the community in a fiscally responsible manner.
To enhance communication, we are once again planning bi-weekly ‘budget spotlight’ bulletins which will provide information to the public about the budget, priorities, plans for spending, legislative requirements, and the decision-making process.
Below is a summary of the budget approval process and timeline. Residents are encouraged to participate in the 2026 budget process by watching upcoming meetings live on our website.
| Milestone Title | Date/Time | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
|
Staff Budget Development |
July and August, 2025 |
Staff to develop the draft operating and capital budget in alignment with the strategic and other long term plans. |
|
Regular Budget Spotlights Issued by the Municipality |
Bi-weekly from August to December, 2025 |
Features informational and background pieces on key components of the budget, process, spending and legislative requirements. To be published online, on the newsfeed, Facebook, and Instagram. |
|
Community Engagement Survey |
August 1 to August 31, 2025 |
Public survey seeking input will be circulated on the website and available for pick up at municipal buildings, including Almonte Old Town Hall, the Municipal Office, and the Mississippi Mills Public Libraries. Survey data will be supplemented by social media polling results. |
|
Survey Results Presented |
October 2025 |
Presentation of survey results and tabling of draft operating and capital budget at a special Committee of the Whole meeting. |
|
Draft Operating and Capital Budgets Presented |
October 2025 |
Senior staff to make presentations to Mayor and Councillors on draft operating and capital budgets. Councillors to propose changes to the Mayor. |
|
Final Operating and Capital Budgets Presented |
November 2025 |
Final budget presentation to Committee of the Whole and Council. The final budget is tabled by the Mayor, opening a 30-day period for councillors to propose amendments — of which the Mayor can veto, and the veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote by Council. See our Strong Mayor Powers page for more information. |
|
2026 Budget Adopted |
December 2025 |
They Mayor's 2026 budget is adopted. |
Contact Us
MUNICIPAL OFFICE
3131 Old Perth Rd
Box 400
Almonte ON, K0A 1A0
Email: Town@mississippimills.ca
Phone: 613-256-2064
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except on Statutory Holidays
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