Town of Brome Lake's 2026 Budget: Controlled Increases Below Inflation Rate

Brome Lake, January 19, 2026 – The Town of Brome Lake has presented its 2026 budget, a diligent financial plan designed to respect residents' ability to pay in the current economic climate. The planned increases remain below the rise in the cost of living, while ensuring continued investment in the development and maintenance of municipal infrastructure.

In 2026, the average tax bill will increase by 2.5% for serviced residences and 2.4% for unserviced properties. These increases are below the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 3.1% recorded last November. They are the result of a 2.4% increase in property tax rates and an average adjustment of 3.5% for service fees.

2026 Budget Highlights

2026 Tax Rates (per $100 of assessment)
Residential: $0.43 (an increase of $0.01)
Commercial (non-residential): $1.30 (an increase of $0.03)
Industrial: $1.70 (an increase of $0.02)
Buildings with six or more units: $0.573 (an increase of $0.013)
Serviced vacant lots: $0.86 (an increase of $0.02) 

Service Fees
Water: +$15
Sewer: -$10
Ecocentre: +$8
Septic tanks and residual materials: No change

"This first budget reflects the new municipal council's commitment to working with rigour and discipline," said Mayor Lee Patterson. "We have opted for a prudent approach, taking the economic context into account, while laying a solid foundation for the future of Brome Lake."

Key Investments for the Coming Years
The three-year capital expenditure plan includes investments totalling $12.1M in 2026, $12.7M in 2027, and $10.6M in 2028. For 2026, major projects include the reconstruction of Fulford Road ($8M), as well as repairs to various roads and streets ($1M).

"These investments demonstrate our commitment to maintaining and improving our infrastructure, while planning responsibly. They are essential to ensuring the safety, quality of life, and attractiveness of our region," the Mayor added.

A Controlled Increase in the Operating Budget
Operating revenues are estimated at $23.27M, an increase of 4.8%, while operating expenses will increase by 3.8% to reach $20.4M. Among the expense variations are a $243,000 (8.9%) increase in costs for Sûreté du Québec services, as well as a $62,000 (9.3%) increase in the assessment paid to the Brome-Missisquoi MRC.

This budget not only absorbs inflation-related costs but also provides the necessary flexibility to finance capital projects without excessive debt, thereby ensuring the sustainability of services to residents.

— 30 —

View the presentation by clicking here.

Source and information:
Communications Department
Town of Brome Lake
Email