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Region Balancing Priorities for Budget

Monday, 1 December 2025 17:45

By Geoff Waterfield

Niagara's Chief Administrative Officer says every department analyzing spending, keeping taxpayer in mind

Affordability, or the cost of living, the number one issue facing the Niagara Region as it prepares the 2026 budget.

Chief Administrative Officer Ron Tripp says every year is tough, but this year especially as they battle tax increases, balancing what people can pay, while yet paying for critical services for vulnerable people.

But, there's also the key priorities identified by regional council.  "Which are infrastructure investment, housing, homelessness, and advocacy for funding from other levels of government to support those services.  So, difficult times in terms of the pressures."

He says every department is going over every detail for efficiency, and consulting with the public.

He adds council tries to reference the Consumer Price Index when it comes to increases.  "I've been in this role now for about 8-years, and I can comfortably say that we have contracted relative to the CPI, in each of those years.  I think there might be one for extraordinary reasons."

He says as macro economic pressures go up, so does their budget.

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