Dryden Mayor says big year for capital projects

Dryden City Council meets tonight to vote on its proposed 2026 municipal budget, which includes a property tax levy increase of approximately $538,000, or 2.82%. This is down from the initial draft’s 3.34% increase, thanks to several cost-saving adjustments.

Key Savings and Adjustments

• The Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) levy increase was reduced from 2.67% to 1.64%, saving about $33,000.
• The Kenora District Home for the Aged levy dropped from an anticipated 4% increase to just 0.1%, saving $14,000.
• A new $30,000 allocation was added for an updated engineering report on landfill closure costs.

Mayor Jack Harrison says inflation is impacting the operating budget including higher costs for insurance and labour.

Operating Budget Highlights

• No major service level changes are planned.
• OPP policing costs are projected at $4.18 million, down significantly from $5.65 million in 2025.
• Labour costs will rise by about 3% for unionized staff, with similar increases for non-union employees.
• Insurance premiums are expected to climb 7%.
• Social services levies include a 1.64% increase for KDSB and 4% for the Northwestern Health Unit.
• The city will allocate $982,000 to reserves, including $500,000 to the General Operating Reserve from Domtar Value Add funds and $294,000 to Waterfront Development from MAT revenue.
• Debt servicing costs remain around $950,000.
• The Dryden Public Library grant will increase 1.92% to $635,000.

The mayor notes the city is looking at over $20 million in capital expenditures which is one of the larger investments in a number of years but adds provincial funding will help with those projects.

Capital Plan
The 2026 capital budget totals approximately $20.9 million, with $15.5 million funded by external sources such as NOHFC, OCIF, and MTO. Key projects include:

• Van Horne Property Land Purchase: $300,000 funded by land sale reserves.
• Duke Street Underground Work: $1.6 million funded through waterworks reserves and user fees.
• About $1.22 million will come from taxation, and $2.1 million from water and sewer revenues.

If approved, the budget will maintain service levels while investing in infrastructure and reserves, balancing modest tax increases with strategic savings.