Next year’s budget process to look drastically different

Stratford city council approved the tentative 2026 budget deliberation schedule after a special mid-month council meeting.

In past years, departments would put forward operating budgets, capital plans and expansion projects, coalesced by the corporate services department into the draft budget. Over a deliberation period typically in December, January and February, council would go through the budget line by line and make amendments, cuts or additions first at committee level, before ultimately passing the budget and the proposed tax levy change with a final bylaw.

This year, the multi-year budget process will look drastically different now that Stratford has become a “strong mayor” city. Along with a host of other powers, mayors may now put forward their own budgets by Feb. 1.

Departmen