The District of Muskoka has a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the upcoming budget.
As presented, it results in an estimated tax increase of 5.11 per cent in 2025, and 4.36 per cent in 2026.
The estimated annual residential tax increase per $100,000 in assessed value is $16.52 in 2025 and $14.84 in 2026.
According to District staff, nearly 40 per cent of the annual increase is related to costs of providing existing base services as well as inflationary pressures on supplies and contracted services.
Officials say other impacts in 2025 include increase costs for OPP services, a decreases in provincial funding for childcare and additional paramedic staff posted to West Muskoka to improve service and response time.
Council also recently re-affirmed its commitment to a planned $77.3 million local share contribution towards the development of two new hospitals in Muskoka as well as additional contributions to support hospitals that service the residents of Muskoka outside of the jurisdiction. This accounts for 7 per cent of the increase in each year.
The budget will still need to be ratified at an official council meeting.
