Budget and Financial
Durham Region is beginning early planning for the 2027 Budget, reviewing service demands, costs to deliver services, opportunities for efficiencies and affordability. As part of this work, Regional Council is reviewing a long-term forecast for policing services. A motion has been approved to use this forecast to help guide the 2027 Budget and future planning processes.
Residents play an important role in shaping Durham Region’s budget, and there are several easy ways to get involved. Input from residents is important in setting budget priorities. There will be more opportunities for people to share their feedback later this year. Watch yourvoice.durham.ca/budget for updates on additional opportunities to share your input.
You can share your ideas directly with the Region at budgets@durham.ca. You can also reach out to your local Regional Councillor at any time to share what matters most to you or speak directly at a Council or Committee meeting when the budget is being discussed. All this feedback is reviewed and helps staff and Regional Council understand community priorities.
Final budget decisions will be made in 2027, after the 2026 municipal election.
Residents are encouraged to visit durham.ca/Budget to learn more about the Durham Budget process and can contact budgets@durham.ca with any questions.
Residents can learn more about policing priorities, governance, and the police budget process by visiting the Durham Regional Police Service Board at DurhamPoliceBoard.ca
| Durham Regional Council approves the 2026 Business Plans and Budget |
| Durham Region's 2026 Budget balances delivering quality services with maintaining affordability for residents with a property tax increase of 4.8 per cent. For an average homeowner, Regional property taxes will increase by about $14 per month where approximately $10 dollars funds police services and $4 will be invested in other essential services across the Region including transit, housing, paramedic services and regional roads and bridges.
We held a Budget Town Hall, conducted a public survey, and invited public feedback to help shape the priorities for this budget – we heard clearly that a focus on affordability and ensuring that essential services continue to evolve and meet demand are important to residents. The 2026 Budget invests in our community through programs and services such as:
Like many municipalities, we are experiencing rising costs to deliver existing services, maintain our aging infrastructure and meet growing demand for critical frontline services and infrastructure to support our expanding community. These challenges are compounded by economic uncertainty – such as inflation and tariffs – and an increasing need for provincial and federal funding. The 2026 Budget focuses on keeping costs manageable while still funding the services residents rely on every day – important services that keep our community safe, connected, and supported. To guide future planning the Region will carry out a Core Services Review that will assess existing service delivery, examine service level requirements, and identify opportunities for sustainable efficiencies. The review will also quantify areas where Regional funding exceeds senior‑government mandates, helping to inform the Region’s ongoing advocacy for predictable and adequate funding. Residents are reminded that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) sets the assessed value for each individual property. Questions about property valuation should be directed to MPAC at 1-866-296-6722 or mpac.ca. |
| Durham Regional Council approves 2026 water supply and sanitary sewer user rates |
| Durham Regional Council has approved the 2026 Water Supply and Sanitary Sewer User Rates, with a combined increase of 5 per cent, or approximately $5.24 per month for an average household.
This increase supports accelerated infrastructure needs to meet provincial housing targets, ongoing maintenance and operation of the water supply and sanitary sewer systems, and several major projects including upgrades and expansion of the Whitby Water Supply Plant, and upgrades at the Corbett Creek and Courtice Water Pollution Control Plants. The approved user rates will take effect on January 1, 2026. Continued investment in the aging municipal water system is required to protect public health and the water environment to meet obligations under the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Ontario Water Resource Act. Durham water and sanitary sewer rates are below the average rate for large Ontario municipalities and are reviewed on an annual basis, with recommendations made to Regional Council in December. For more information on Durham Region’s water and sanitary sewer user rate increase and the 2026 consolidated water supply and sanitary sewerage systems business plans and budget, visit durham.ca/budget. Information about Durham Region’s water and sanitary sewer system is available at durham.ca/WaterAndSewer. |
Watch this short video to learn how the budget is prepared to support important programs and services for our community.
Region of Durham Business Plans and Budget Process
The Region of Durham provides a wide range of programs and services to a growing and diverse community of residents and businesses. The annual Business Plans and Budget outlines the cost of delivering these essential programs and services and ensures resource allocations are aligned with Regional Council’s strategic objectives and meet service, infrastructure and legislative requirements within a framework of financial stability and transparency.
The Region’s Business Plans and Budgets are a critical component of the Region’s annual business planning cycle which also includes strategic planning, economic and financial forecasting and performance measurement.
The Region prepares two budgets. The first is for services funded by property taxes, which presents the operating and capital funding requirements for the following Regional services:
- Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS)
- Durham Region Transit (DRT)
- Regional roads and bridges
- Solid waste management
- Social Services including social housing, social assistance, children’s services, family services and long-term care and services for seniors
- Public health and paramedic services
- Community Growth and Economic Development
- Emergency Management
- 9-1-1 services
The second is for water and sanitary sewer services which are billed on a consumption basis to customers who are connected to the municipal systems. These services are user rate supported and are not funded from Regional property taxes.
For more information or questions about the Budget, please contact us at budgets@durham.ca or by phone at
905-668-7711 extension 2302 or 1-800-372-1102 (toll-free).
Property Tax Supported Business Plans and Budgets
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
| 2017 |
Long-Term Service and Financing Strategies
| Housing and Homelessness Service and Financing Strategy |
| Durham Region Transit Service and Financing Strategy |
|
Paramedic Services Service and Financing Strategy |
Water Supply and Sanitary Sewage Systems Business Plans and Budgets
| 2026 |
| 2025 |
| 2024 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2018 |
|
2017 |
Region of Durham Water Financial Plan
| 2024 |
| 2019 |
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