Yarmouth Town Council has approved a balanced operating budget of $28,710,919 for the 2026-27 fiscal year, ending March 31, 2027. The budget includes $28,710,919 in both projected revenues and expenses. Municipal tax rates remain unchanged, with no increases to garbage or sewer rates.
Yarmouth Town Council Approves 2026-27 Operating Budget
Balanced budget maintains tax rates and core service levels
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - Yarmouth, N.S. – Yarmouth Town Council has approved a balanced operating budget of $28,710,919 for the 2026-27 fiscal year, ending March 31, 2027. The budget includes $28,710,919 in both projected revenues and expenses. Municipal tax rates remain unchanged, with no increases to garbage or sewer rates.
Rising costs and inflation continue to affect Town departments and services. Staff are working to maintain reliable services while managing higher costs for materials, fuel, insurance and other essential operations within a balanced budget. Growth in the Town’s overall assessment base provided additional revenue this year to help offset those pressures, allowing Council to maintain residential and commercial tax rates at their current levels.
Several significant expenses are reflected in this year’s budget, including:
- Heating oil: $259,000; fuel: $177,760; and chemicals: $195,000
- Insurance: $521,824
- Education: an increase of 4.1% or $68,672 for a total of $1,741,224
- Policing: an increase of 13.79%, or $400,000 for a total of $3,300,000
“We are living in difficult and uncertain times. Council understands that residents and businesses are already feeling financial pressure, and has made holding the tax rate a priority. The Town is experiencing the same rise in costs and we have worked carefully to ensure continued reliable services, maintain our infrastructure and manage taxpayers’ dollars responsibly. This is our ‘stay-the-course' budget, focused on stability: continuing to move our community forward while recognizing that, right now, asking more from taxpayers is simply not where we want to be. We are in this together." - Mayor Pam Mood
2026-27 Operating Budget Highlights & Rates
- The Town’s 2026–27 operating budget totals $22,710,919, including $22,710,919 in projected revenues and expenses, resulting in a balanced operating budget. The budget also reflects $6,000,000 in donations received for the Mariners Centre expansion and a corresponding $6,000,000 payment toward the project. Including these pass-through amounts, total budgeted revenues and expenses are $28,710,919.
- The Town continues to set aside funds in reserves for depreciation, with $2,400,000 included in this year’s budget.
- This year’s budget provides $4 million for new capital work, including the Mariners Centre expansion.
- Tax rates remain unchanged: residential, $1.71; commercial, $4.35.
- Assessment-based growth: Residential assessments increased by 7.41% and commercial assessments by 5.63% overall, providing approximately $867,718 in additional revenue. Property assessments are determined by Property Valuation Services Corporation, not the Town. Individual property assessments and resulting tax bills may vary based on changes to a property’s assessed value.
- Town of Yarmouth Transit remains free, providing an accessible service for seniors, students, residents and visitors.
- The low-income tax rebate is being offered again this year to eligible homeowners, with $20,000 budgeted for the program.
- The garbage rate remains unchanged at $205 per residential unit. The Town collects residential waste from buildings with up to four units.
- Sewer rates remain unchanged.
- Interest on overdue tax accounts remains at 14%.
- Continued support for downtown businesses: Tax phase-in rebates are budgeted at nearly $50,000, and Façade Program funding has increased from $15,000 to $35,000.
- The paving and patching budget has increased by $55,000, to $215,000.
- No debt payments: The Town has been debt-free since 2023-24.
- Green energy revenues budgeted at $95,000.
The full 2026-27 operational budget can be found at https://www.townofyarmouth.ca/departments/finance/annual-budget/operating-budgets