Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma says putting the 2026 budget together was actually a fairly smooth process.
Ritsma, like many local mayors, elected to not use his given Strong Mayor Powers to push a number through, but he did set a goal of no more than a 3.5 per cent levy increase.
"I thought we got a good result because it was respectful of the ratepayers, the ability to pay, and also we have a budget that allows us to maintain the service levels of 2025. So that was a good one," Ritsma enthused. "Some of the departments came in under the 3.5 per cent, and one of the social services came in above, so we came in with the final budget at 3.19 or 3.2."
2025 was a very busy year in terms of construction and infrastructure upgrades in Stratford.
Ritsma says he, council and staff are pleased with the amount of work being done to replace some infrastructure that was as old as 90 years. He says it was a concerted effort this year to replace some of that infrastructure and bring it up to date.
"We spent $37 million on infrastructure. Both sewers and water lines, sanitation, and all that work being done on several key streets," he noted.
Going forward, that infrastructure work will continue in 2026, with Stratford set to spend $56 million. Additionally, Ritsma shares that council made a decision to set aside $5 million to help build a new 12-unit supportive housing build to help address homelessness in the area.
"So the idea is to get them in, get them supported with all the supports they need, and then hopefully they can move into their own permanent rental or housing unit. So, that's a big decision that council made. We want to help support the most acutely vulnerable people in our area, and this is a way to do that," Ritsma stated.
That new build, which will be built on Erie Street, will go hand-in-hand with the new warming centre that was opened in the United Way Connection Centre, which is housed within the St. Paul's Anglican Church.
That centre is open from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m., and closes for a few hours to allow staff to turnover and to clean up the space. It features showers, laundry, a small kitchen for cooking and other comforts to help people in need.
There will also be a new childcare space with 92 spaces coming in the new year, another exciting project Ritsma is excited for. He also points out that there are two manufacturing companies, one German and one in Japan, that will be expanding production in the area.
Ritsma adds that he looks forward to more discussions about the future of the Grand Trunk Railroad site, as well as more open engagements with residents.
The further growth of the Stratford Festival is also something Ritsma is looking forward to. He says numbers have started to come back to pre-COVID levels, and that's very encouraging.
"An increase of audience back from the U.S., that's increasing with regards to them coming to Stratford. With Stratford being named top 10 in Canada, the number of Canadian tourists, as well. So that's another area that's going to continue to grow," he said.
Regarding the Grand Trunk revitalization, Ritsma points out they've had an advisory committee working for two years so far. He says council will need to make some decisions next year on what will happen with the 18-acre site.
"What's going to be there and what kind of investment we're going to search for, from the federal government, the provincial government, and from private investment, as well," Ritsma shared. "So, overall, lots of great things going on in Stratford currently and lots more moving forward."
