Regional council’s budget committee has approved recommendations that would put a sizable dent in the 2026 property tax increase, but come at the expense of long-term infrastructure funding.

Councillors approved St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe’s recommendation that they pause a 3.18 per cent annual property tax increase for an enhanced capital funding strategy.

The plan aims to reduce an escalating regional infrastructure deficit of more than $1.5 billion by funding repairs to roads and an aging water/wastewater system, and buy time to replace failing assets.

“The infrastructure funding gap in the region has developed over 55 years, and the current capital financing strategy tries to close that gap over 10 years,” Siscoe said. “I think that’s very difficult, if not impossible, for many

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