Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland says the town’s proposed 2026 budget is the result of years of collaboration with staff and reflects the financial pressures residents are facing as council prepares to debate the plan at today’s special meeting.
Cleveland said despite the use of strong mayor powers, the document remains largely staff-driven.
He noted the budget comes after several years of above-inflation increases, driven in part by decisions made in previous council terms, and said the goal this year was to avoid service reductions while limiting the impact on taxpayers during a cost-of-living crisis.
A major point of debate has been the police budget. Cleveland said the Cobourg Police Service received exactly what it requested, but he has proposed using reserve funds to reduce the immediate impact on the tax levy.
Cleveland emphasized that reserves would not be eliminated and that council ultimately controls how taxpayer funds are used. He also pushed back against suggestions that the proposal threatens financial stability, noting council has approved significantly larger reserve transfers in past years.
As council prepares to review the budget, Cleveland stressed the document is not final.
Council is currently debating the draft budget and proposed changes during the special meeting.
Look for more on the story as it develops.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
