Oxford Town Council approves a $4-million operating budget for 2026–27, and tax rates tick upward
These aren’t words municipal politicians like to say, and taxpayers certainly don’t like hearing them: your taxes are going up.
At the regular monthly meeting of Oxford Town Council this week Manager of Finance, Ruthann Brookins, said that after spending a great deal of time looking for ways to reconcile expected revenues with anticipated expenses in the year ahead, there simply was no way to make it work: “The only way to achieve sustainable operation while maintaining the level of service is to increase the tax rate by 5.5% (both residential and commercial) … which give us an extra $153-thousand for operations.”
Brookins said the goal each year is to achieve a balanced budget while accounting for the annual rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), this year there was no path to zero. The “Transportation Services” part of the budget, essentially the Public Works and Protective Services lines, saw costs up some 78 percent over last year, particularly with the cost of asphalt and fuel. She said there was no room in this budget for “wishes” (non-essential projects), and projections for the year ahead left few choices on the table. After two years of stable tax rates, this year’s budget raises residential & commercial taxes by 5.5%:
To put this increase in perspective, Brookins said “if your house has a $200-thousand assessment, you’ll pay another $197 in tax this year above what you would have paid. So that’s $98.50 in each of the two tax bills.” On the upside, there is no change to sewer rates in this budget.
While the Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) determined there was an average eight percent increase in residential property values this year, and commercial property took a significant 22 percent jump, in the latter’s case 21 percent of that value comes in the form of the new Oxford & Area Community Centre. That increase in commercial value won’t see much return yet, though, as Council waived the community centre’s property taxes for a period of 20 years back in 2024 as part of its contribution to ensuring the project went ahead.
As the 2025–26 fiscal year came to a close, there were many ups and downs in the town’s portfolio. Recreation, under the direction of Marion Abbott, brought a significant increase in activity at the Oxford Capitol Theatre, bringing in significantly more revenue from ticket sales and rentals than had been seen in some time. A new Fire Services agreement with Cumberland County brought a substantial reduction in monies allocated there, but it doesn’t bring much overall savings as the funds need to be put into reserves for future fire equipment purchases.
Some government grants are reduced or eliminated; administration wages were raised to ensure that they would be less difficult to fill when they become vacant; Recyclable Materials corporation, now the operator of waste disposal in the province, pays the town $30-thousand a year for recyclables, but this simply funds a worker position at the depot to monitor sorting requirements.
This sounds like a good amount of gloom-and-doom, but Brookins says there’s “light at the end of the tunnel,” with large projects getting under way in the next year that will have a positive impact on the town’s revenue: property deed transfers, development agreements, will lead to new taxable income from two new planned apartment buildings in the downtown core; housing developments on upper Water St., and residential / commercial development happening within town limits on the other side of the Trans-Canada connector. That last development is particularly significant, given the anticipated size of the project, which is partially supported by government grants that will help the Town of Oxford extend water and sewer services to that previously unserved area.
Following the presentation, Oxford Town Council approved the proposed budget at a total of $4,030,911 (last year: $3.411,605).
Water Works
Separate from the town’s annual operating budget is the Water Utility budget, which is a separate entity. Brookins described a challenging year for Oxford’s water, as the revenue estimates for last year did not match actual income. A big part of that was a 25 percent reduction in usage by Oxford Frozen Foods, the town’s largest employer and biggest single corporate taxpayer. This, and other increased costs, left the Water Utility in a $70-thousand deficit. Since municipalities are by law required to balance budgets, the situation may require the town to move money from reserves to cover the difference.
Again, Brookins pointed to the across-the-highway development as representing a short-term expense for the town, but one that should lead to increased revenues from water services (as well as taxes) on those operations and properties.
The Big Dig
It may not be as extensive as the Boston megaproject from a couple of decades ago, but for a small town like Oxford, upcoming infrastructure renewal is certainly a big deal. But it’s not coming quite as quickly as hoped.
While recent patching has smoothed some of the worst potholes in town, the state of the main thoroughfare, particularly, is on residents’ minds (as easily seen in social media posts on the matter). Brookins says the money has come together to allow the town to commission the engineering plans for the project this year (approximately $1.3-million), but “shovels in the ground” will come in 2027.
Once the project is completed, though, Oxford will be transformed. Main Street in particular will be dug up from Water Street up to Hanlon Street, replacing water, sewer, storm drain systems, and repaved. But it won’t look like it does today: expect bump-outs, reduced lane width, more pedestrian-friendly spaces and cobblestone-covered permeable parking at the curb allowing for faster surface water run-off into the drains.
Paving is hinted at being expanded to include other sections of Main Street as well. On the South Side of town, Pugwash Road will have its water lines replaced, sidewalks added, and new pavement. Equally as significant, the Pugwash Road reservoir is being replaced, having passed its serviceable life and essential as a backup water system and to ensure sufficient capability for firefighting if needed.
Another big chunk of the 2026–27 Capital Budget will see $400-thousand allocated to replace water meters throughout the town, which are also nearly all past their useful lifespan. Brookins said “This should help with improved consumption and make the cost of water fair to all residents.”
Mayor Greg Henley thanked Brookins for the work put into the annual budget process. He said he feels “optimistic… people want to build here.”
Credit Where Its Due
Mayor Henley wrapped up the council meeting by recognizing Councillor Carla Black, who was recognized this week by the Municipality of Cumberland County for her volunteer work with the Oxford Food Pantry.
Video of the Oxford Town Council Meetings can be viewed on the town’s YouTube Channel.
Budget documents, council agendas, etc. are available on the Town’s website, oxfordns.ca
