Oxford County · Explain yourself
$406.9 million. What should your next Council change?
Roads, water, housing, care. The County’s 2026 spending plan reaches into daily life. Candidates should say what gets more, what gets less, and why.
See the decision.
Try the scale of the choice
What does 1% mean?
A small percentage can mean a large decision.
Illustration: $279,035,275 × the percentage you choose. This is not a proposed cut, available cash or a change to your tax bill. Some funding is restricted.
Pick a plan. Explain the trade-off.
What would you choose?
Choices to question · not a public vote or a list of approved projects.
Protect current services first — proposal
What it could achieveKeep existing services dependable and focus new money on keeping assets usable.
The trade-offNew programmes and expansions may wait; delayed work needs a stated cost and risk.
Expand a named service — proposal
What it could achieveTarget a measurable improvement in housing, paramedic response, care or another County service.
The trade-offShow the added operating cost, staffing and funding source. A bigger budget needs a clear result.
Reduce the tax requirement — proposal
What it could achievePut household affordability at the centre of the budget.
The trade-offName the saving, fee change or service reduction. Restricted grants and reserves cannot all be treated as spare cash.
Same issue. Same opportunity to explain.
Where do they stand?
Which services should receive more money, and what would you reduce or charge differently to pay for them?
25 people
Their public position
Argues that property taxes cannot sustainably fund growing healthcare responsibilities.
Ontario Finance Committee — Marcus Ryan budget testimonyMore context & statements
He told the committee that health costs accounted for 49% of the 2026 County tax-rate increase. That describes a share of the increase, not half the whole budget.
Full position & history
Deb Tait
Serving: City–County Councillor / Seeking: Deputy Mayor-County Councillor
Their public position
Emphasizes tax affordability and says County budget increases are unsustainable.
Candidate campaign websiteMore context & statements
She reports opposing three of four County budgets; specific motions and roll calls need checking.
Full position & history
Bernia Martin
Serving: City–County Councillor / Seeking: Deputy Mayor-County Councillor
Their public position
Calls for County decisions to reflect what households can afford.
Heart FM — Don Edmiston candidate interview
No people match both filters. Choose Everyone or All positions.
An absent public answer is not a refusal. Delivery and responses are recorded on the public question.
Open the full candidate comparisonOpen public question
Put the question to them.
Which services should receive more money, and what would you reduce or charge differently to pay for them?
The record stays here
What happened. What happens next.
2026 budget adopted
Council approved the spending plan. The detailed document dated January 14 contains the figures shown here.
Detailed 2026 budget record
Page 58 separates operating costs, capital costs and the tax levy.
2027 budget presentation scheduled
The September 23 agenda preview announces presentation to the incoming Council; this is a scheduled step.
Approval meeting scheduled
The County budget page lists this date after December deliberations.
The County lists budget deliberations for December 10 and 14, 2026, with approval scheduled for January 13, 2027. Check the official calendar for changes. Ask prospective County representatives for their priorities before those decisions.
Meetings & agendasOpen the documents
Detailed approved 2026 budget — page 58County budget page and 2027 meeting scheduleSeptember 23 agenda preview — 2027 budget timetableThe full issue recordCorrect this page or add a sourceGot a stronger alternative?
Name the change. Show what it costs. Explain what it gives up.
Put your idea forward