NORTHEAST TOWN—As council for the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands had a second look at its 2026 draft budget last week, staff presented them with some good news. Thanks to an increase in the province’s Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), the 2026 levy can be cut in half, from 4.33 to 2.34 percent.
CAO Dave Williamson explained that the municipality learned that its 2026 OMPF allocation had risen by $290,000.
The municipality is also allowing for an 11 percent increase to its Ontario Provincial Police costs—the worst case scenario for an increase—and budgeting for a 3.3 percent increase to its Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board budget (the DSB runs Manitoulin’s emergency services and social housing).
The provincial largesse will also give the municipality the opportunity to contribute $112,000 to its working capital reserve, which otherwise stood to take a significant hit in 2026. While it won’t see it overflowing, it will get the reserve “out of the hole,” the CAO said.
Then remaining $107,000 in OMPF monies will then be used to offset the levy.
“Would it be prudent to put more into reserves?” Councillor Laurie Cook asked.
An enthusiastic Mr. Williamson responded, “I absolutely agree, but that is up to council.”
“It certainly looks like you’ve budgeted for worst case scenarios,” said Councillor Al Boyd, noting that he also likes Councillor Cook’s suggestion. “If there’s savings to be had, can the difference go to savings?” he queried.
Mr. Williamson explained that when line items that see a surplus they end up in the total year-end surplus, then council would decide what to do with it at that time.
A public meeting for the 2026 budget has been set for December 2 at the municipal council chambers.
