Property taxes could rise by 50% in next 10 years in Bracebridge

Staff say municipalities are responsible for infrastructure and are seeing increases in requirements

The Town of Bracebridge projection of over 50 percent tax increases over 10 years raised concern, in the October 7, 2025, General Committee meeting.

In the staff overview of the Consolidated Budget and Financial Statements, Councillor, Don Smith, expressed concerned about the ongoing annual increases, beginning at 1.4% in 2026 to frequent increases of 4.8% and other increases close to that range for the years to come.

He said it leads to an “over 50% increase in taxes just from the corporate side over the next 10 years…and then we have to add in Operations… Now we’re talking about something in the area of 7 1/2%,” factoring in the approximate 2-3% additional increase in that department per year.

Smith added that it’s “a substantial increase in taxes…locking the next three Councils into substantial tax increases if we follow this plan.” He wondered how the Town will “handle that.”

Director of Finances/Treasurer, Paul Judson, advised that they will be taking “a building blocks approach,” which includes looking at corporate costs first and then operational. He said, “We put forth a tax increase that we believe is reasonable,” based on the information they currently have, however, there are also “many variables to consider that can change.”

He added that the capital will also be examined annually, in addition to the potential for grant opportunities. So, basically “what happens each year determines the rate increase each year.”

CAO, Stephen Rettie, advised that tax rate increases depend on things like revenue (the more generated can result in reduced tax rates), reducing expenses (i.e. cutting services), taking advantage of grants and the Municipal Accommodation Tax, and development charges. Although, we warned that development charges are not currently stable because of the push from upper government to build affordable housing.

Rettie emphasized that municipalities are responsible for infrastructure and are seeing increases in requirements.

Smith said, “There’s only so many dollars,” and they are competing with other municipalities for the same grants, “so change is required.”

He asked, “So where is that going to lead us…? An evaluation each year is not enough if we’re doing a long-term plan.”

Rettie said, “It’s not easy…an incredible hurdle to get over.” He added that it’s challenging to manage infrastructure and also questioned whether “the taxbase can withstand a tax increase of 50% over 10 years.”

He said that staff will do what they can with what’s available, such as what they did with the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre, lobbying the province for support with the project “for $16.8 million.”

Judson added that many other municipalities are facing “infrastructure deficits.” However, the Town is approaching asset management “from a position of strength…a unique and very strong position to be in.”