Huron County Council has made some tough budget calls this week, but the job is not done.
Council removed several line items from the proposed 2026 budget to bring the levy increase down $806,000. As it stands, that would represent a 5.56 per cent tax rate increase.
Treasurer Michael Blumhagen reiterated that the coming years would require increased spending to maintain service levels.
"These are probably the most difficult budget discussions we've had. I've been here a long time and we've never had such challenging discussions, so I don't envy council's position," he said.
"The items on here, it's not that they're not important... we were given our direction in terms of cuts from operating and these are just items that are not mandatory for the county in terms of legislative requirements of us having to deliver the services."
Items removed from the 2026 budget included $400,000 to support the Huron County Clean Water Program, $90,000 for the Economic Development's SLED Grants, and $214,000 for the Huronlea Parking Lot Expansion.
To start the meeting, the Huron County Food Distribution Centre presented to council, making a case for why its $66,000 allocation should remain. Council members ultimately agreed, but they did opt to cut $50,000 for the Huron Recreation, Arts and Sports Program, which program helps cover registration and equipment fees for low income families.
According to staff, the program assisted 183 youth across the county in 2024.
Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan said it was tough, but given the choice, he would rather keep funding the Food Distribution Centre.
"The bottom line is, we have core responsibilities as county council," he said. "Certainly the next item, making sure people are fed, is a lot more important. As much as it's nice to have programs like this, I think there are other responsibilities and at some point, if we go through these one at a time, there will always be valid arguments - that's why we had the programs in the first place."
Among items up for discussion, members of Goderich council ended up restating their case for why the court security costs need to be shared across the county, instead of just funded by one town. Council agreed to continue funding court security costs up to $200,000.
A roundabout project outside Exeter at County Road 83 and Airport Line was also deferred.
The matter of eliminating 13 non-union staffing positions was discussed in closed session.
Council will continue budget discussions at its March 4 meeting.
