Inverness County Council Approves 2026–2027 Budget

Inverness County Council Approves 2026–2027 Budget Focused on Community Priorities

 Municipality of Inverness County Council has approved the 2026–2027 operating and capital budget totalling $31,153,611, supporting continued investment in the infrastructure, programs and services residents rely on while addressing rising costs and planning for future growth.

The approved budget includes a nine-cent increase to both the residential and commercial property tax rates. The residential rate will increase from $1.05 to $1.14, and the commercial rate from $1.91 to $2.00, per $100 of assessed property value.

The budget was developed through Council discussions, financial analysis, and consideration of community priorities. While identifying efficiencies wherever possible, Council recognized the need to respond to increasing costs, maintain aging infrastructure and continue delivering essential municipal services.

“This budget reflects Council’s commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with the needs of our community,” said Warden Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County. “While we recognize that any tax increase affects residents and businesses, it is necessary to ensure we can continue providing reliable services, maintain critical infrastructure and prepare for future growth.”

The tax rate increase will help address:

• Higher mandatory provincial contributions for services such as education, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Property Valuation Services Corporation, regional libraries and provincial roads.
• Provincial budget cuts have significantly reduced funding for municipal programs, including infrastructure projects and community organizations. As a result, many community organizations are now turning to the municipality to help offset the loss of provincial funding.
• Aging municipal infrastructure, including solid waste and recycling services, municipal buildings, vehicles, and equipment.
• Rising construction, workforce, and operating costs.
• Increased demands related to climate adaptation, emergency management, and disaster response.
• Growing housing pressures.

“We’ve heard from residents who are surprised to learn that municipalities are required to pay for services such as education and policing, while having no control over how much those costs increase each year,” added MacIsaac. “Over the past three years, mandatory provincial contributions have increased by more than $1.6 million, or 20.4 per cent. Today, nearly one-third of every municipal tax dollar is directed toward these provincially mandated costs.”

The tax rate increase is expected to generate approximately $1.59 million in additional revenue, helping offset the approximately $1.6 million increase in mandatory provincial contributions.

While the increase represents a change for property owners, municipal tax rates have remained relatively stable over the long term. Residential tax rates have declined from $1.50 in 1978 to $1.05 in 2025, while commercial tax rates have decreased from $2.30 to $1.91 over the same period.

Even with the approved increase, Inverness County’s property tax rates will remain well below the provincial average, 31 per cent lower for residential properties and 48 per cent lower for commercial properties.

For residential properties, the increase will add approximately:

• $115 annually for a home with a taxable assessed value of $127,644 (the average taxable assessment in Inverness County).
• $270 annually for a home with a taxable assessed value of $300,000.
• $360 annually for a home with a taxable assessed value of $400,000.

Sewer rates are not changing as part of the 2026–2027 budget. The new property tax rates will take effect for the 2026–2027 fiscal year and will be reflected on property tax bills issued in July 2026.

The 2026–2027 capital plan includes investments in:

• Water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Solid waste and environmental services.
• Recreation and community facilities.
• Transportation and active transportation networks.

The Municipality will also continue to maximize external funding opportunities. Approximately 74 per cent of the 2026–2027 capital program is funded through provincial and federal partners, meaning every municipal dollar invested is expected to leverage approximately $2.75 in additional funding for community infrastructure.

More information about the 2026–2027 budget, including budget documents and project details, is available at Budget 2026-2027 | Municipality of the County of Inverness .