2027 Budget Process: Proposed Uses Fees and Charges
Thank you for joining the conversation regarding the 2027 Budget Process: Proposed User Fees and Charges Survey!
The Township begins its annual Budget process by reviewing and updating its User Fees and Charges By-law. User fees are an important tool for collecting fees directly from the users who benefit from a service, rather than having the service be partially or wholly funded through property taxes. For example, those submitting Planning Act applications to re-zone their property pay an application fee (or user fee) to the Township to help offset the costs associated with processing their application.
For more information regarding the annual Budget Process and User Fees and Charges view the FAQ's.
Council is seeking the public’s feedback on the proposed 2027 User Fees and Charges By-law before it is considered for approval.
The proposed 2027 User Fees and Charges Report will be available on September 11, 2026 under the Documents section of this page and on the September 16, 2026 Council Calendar page.
In addition to attending the Public Information Meeting, the public is invited to complete the survey below and provide feedback on the proposed fees. The survey will close on September 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
Thank you for joining the conversation regarding the 2027 Budget Process: Proposed User Fees and Charges Survey!
The Township begins its annual Budget process by reviewing and updating its User Fees and Charges By-law. User fees are an important tool for collecting fees directly from the users who benefit from a service, rather than having the service be partially or wholly funded through property taxes. For example, those submitting Planning Act applications to re-zone their property pay an application fee (or user fee) to the Township to help offset the costs associated with processing their application.
For more information regarding the annual Budget Process and User Fees and Charges view the FAQ's.
Council is seeking the public’s feedback on the proposed 2027 User Fees and Charges By-law before it is considered for approval.
The proposed 2027 User Fees and Charges Report will be available on September 11, 2026 under the Documents section of this page and on the September 16, 2026 Council Calendar page.
In addition to attending the Public Information Meeting, the public is invited to complete the survey below and provide feedback on the proposed fees. The survey will close on September 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
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Township of Puslinch Annual Budget and User Fees and Charges FAQ
Share Township of Puslinch Annual Budget and User Fees and Charges FAQ on Facebook Share Township of Puslinch Annual Budget and User Fees and Charges FAQ on X (formerly Twitter) Share Township of Puslinch Annual Budget and User Fees and Charges FAQ on Linkedin Email Township of Puslinch Annual Budget and User Fees and Charges FAQ linkThe Township develops its budget each year by following a structured cycle. This ensures transparency, consistency and alignment between Council, staff and the community. Below you will find answers to common questions about the annual Township budget process.
- What is the timeline the Township follows for the annual budget process?
The 2027 budget process will follow a condensed timeline due to the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election.The annual budget calendar with annual target dates is listed in the chart below:
Timeline
Step in Annual Budget Process
June
Budget Process Begins: Priorities and service levels are established for the upcoming budget year.
July & August
User Fees and Charges: Finance department conducts an audit of user fees and charges in collaboration with all departments.
September
Public Information Meeting: A Public Information Meeting is held, where residents can review the draft User Fees and Charges By-law and provide comments.
October & November
Budget Draft: Detailed draft of operating and capital budgets are completed.
December
Capital Budget and Forecast: Council and Department Heads conduct a Roads and Facility Tour to review completed projects, equipment, and facilities.
Proposed Capital Budget and 10-Year forecast: Proposed capital budget and 10-Year forecast is presented to Council.
January
Operating Budget: The base operating budget (detailed and summary) is presented to Council.
Updated Budget to Council: Staff update the budget based on Council and community feedback. Finance calculates the projected tax impact on median Township properties (MPAC-based).
Public Information Meeting: A Public Information Meeting is held, where residents can review the draft budget and provide comments.
February
Final Budget Presented: Final budget reports are presented, including reserve balances, completed capital projects, year-to-year comparisons and public comments.
Budget By-law is Passed: Budget By-law is passed, and the Township issues a media release.
May
Tax Rate By-law is passed: Township adopts the final Tax Rate By-law after receiving the County’s tax ratios and Provincial education rates.
- What public engagement opportunities are available for residents to provide feedback on the budget process?
Each year, the Township encourages residents to participate in the User Fees and Charges Engagement Survey (online) and hosts an in-person User Fees and Charges Public Information Meeting. This year, the Township encouraged residents to participate in the Public Works, Parks and Facilities Level of Service survey.
- COMPLETED - 2027 Public Works, Parks and Facilities Level of Service Survey (occurs annually between June and July)
- UPCOMING - User Fees and Charges Public Information Meeting (September 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.)
- UPCOMING - 2027 Budget Engagement Survey (occurs annually between December and January)
- UPCOMING - 2027 Budget Public Information Meeting (January 2027)
Residents are encouraged to provide feedback throughout the budget process. All input is reviewed by Council before the final Budget By-law is passed.
- What are User Fees and Charges, and why are they important?
User fees and charges are payments received from individuals or organizations who use/request a specific Township service. For example, payment received for building permits, open air burn permits, and entrance permits are all “user fees”.
User fees and charges are the first step in the annual budget process and are reviewed annually to ensure that they reflect the true cost of the service being provided. The revenue from user fees and charges are then factored into the Township’s operating budget alongside property tax revenue.
- What services are funded by the Township vs. the County of Wellington?
The Township and the County provide different services. The Township only sets fees and charges for Township services, while County Council determines the fees for County services. The chart below lists the services provided by the Township and the County.
Township Services
County Services
Animal Licensing and Control
Ambulance
Building Permits
County Roads and Bridges
By-law Enforcement
County Trails and Forests
Community Centres and Recreation Facilities
Long Term Care
Fire Services
Museum and Archives
Heritage
Parking
Municipal Elections
Police Services (OPP)
Property Tax Collection and Administration
Public Libraries
Planning and Development Applications
(ex: Rezoning, Minor Variance and Site Plan)
Regional Economic Development
Township Roads, Bridges, Culverts, Streetlights and Sidewalks
Severances
Township Trails and Parks
Social Services (Child Care/Early Leaning, Housing, Ontario Works)
Taxi Licensing
Solid Waste Services
The Township develops its budget each year by following a structured cycle. This ensures transparency, consistency and alignment between Council, staff and the community. Below you will find answers to common questions about the annual Township budget process.
- What is the timeline the Township follows for the annual budget process?
The 2027 budget process will follow a condensed timeline due to the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election.The annual budget calendar with annual target dates is listed in the chart below:
Timeline
Step in Annual Budget Process
June
Budget Process Begins: Priorities and service levels are established for the upcoming budget year.
July & August
User Fees and Charges: Finance department conducts an audit of user fees and charges in collaboration with all departments.
September
Public Information Meeting: A Public Information Meeting is held, where residents can review the draft User Fees and Charges By-law and provide comments.
October & November
Budget Draft: Detailed draft of operating and capital budgets are completed.
December
Capital Budget and Forecast: Council and Department Heads conduct a Roads and Facility Tour to review completed projects, equipment, and facilities.
Proposed Capital Budget and 10-Year forecast: Proposed capital budget and 10-Year forecast is presented to Council.
January
Operating Budget: The base operating budget (detailed and summary) is presented to Council.
Updated Budget to Council: Staff update the budget based on Council and community feedback. Finance calculates the projected tax impact on median Township properties (MPAC-based).
Public Information Meeting: A Public Information Meeting is held, where residents can review the draft budget and provide comments.
February
Final Budget Presented: Final budget reports are presented, including reserve balances, completed capital projects, year-to-year comparisons and public comments.
Budget By-law is Passed: Budget By-law is passed, and the Township issues a media release.
May
Tax Rate By-law is passed: Township adopts the final Tax Rate By-law after receiving the County’s tax ratios and Provincial education rates.
- What public engagement opportunities are available for residents to provide feedback on the budget process?
Each year, the Township encourages residents to participate in the User Fees and Charges Engagement Survey (online) and hosts an in-person User Fees and Charges Public Information Meeting. This year, the Township encouraged residents to participate in the Public Works, Parks and Facilities Level of Service survey.
- COMPLETED - 2027 Public Works, Parks and Facilities Level of Service Survey (occurs annually between June and July)
- UPCOMING - User Fees and Charges Public Information Meeting (September 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.)
- UPCOMING - 2027 Budget Engagement Survey (occurs annually between December and January)
- UPCOMING - 2027 Budget Public Information Meeting (January 2027)
Residents are encouraged to provide feedback throughout the budget process. All input is reviewed by Council before the final Budget By-law is passed.
- What are User Fees and Charges, and why are they important?
User fees and charges are payments received from individuals or organizations who use/request a specific Township service. For example, payment received for building permits, open air burn permits, and entrance permits are all “user fees”.
User fees and charges are the first step in the annual budget process and are reviewed annually to ensure that they reflect the true cost of the service being provided. The revenue from user fees and charges are then factored into the Township’s operating budget alongside property tax revenue.
- What services are funded by the Township vs. the County of Wellington?
The Township and the County provide different services. The Township only sets fees and charges for Township services, while County Council determines the fees for County services. The chart below lists the services provided by the Township and the County.
Township Services
County Services
Animal Licensing and Control
Ambulance
Building Permits
County Roads and Bridges
By-law Enforcement
County Trails and Forests
Community Centres and Recreation Facilities
Long Term Care
Fire Services
Museum and Archives
Heritage
Parking
Municipal Elections
Police Services (OPP)
Property Tax Collection and Administration
Public Libraries
Planning and Development Applications
(ex: Rezoning, Minor Variance and Site Plan)
Regional Economic Development
Township Roads, Bridges, Culverts, Streetlights and Sidewalks
Severances
Township Trails and Parks
Social Services (Child Care/Early Leaning, Housing, Ontario Works)
Taxi Licensing
Solid Waste Services
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MH
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MC
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2027 Proposed User Fees and Charges Report
2027 Budget Process: Proposed Uses Fees and Charges is currently at this stageOn September 16, 2026 Council will consider and provide feedback on the 2027 proposed User Fees and Charges By-law.
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Public Information Meeting - User Fees and Charges
this is an upcoming stage for 2027 Budget Process: Proposed Uses Fees and ChargesSeptember 16, 2026 the Township will hold a Public Information Meeting for the 2027 proposed User Fees and Charges where Council will receive comments from the public.
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2027 User Fees and Charges By-law Adoption
this is an upcoming stage for 2027 Budget Process: Proposed Uses Fees and ChargesOctober 21, 2026 Council will adopt the 2027 User Fees and Charges By-law.
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2027 Proposed Capital Budget Report
this is an upcoming stage for 2027 Budget Process: Proposed Uses Fees and ChargesDecember 9, 2026 Council will consider and provide feedback on the 2027 proposed Capital Budget.
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2027 Proposed Operating Budget Report
this is an upcoming stage for 2027 Budget Process: Proposed Uses Fees and ChargesJanuary 6, 2027 Council will consider and provide feedback on the 2027 proposed Operating Budget.
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Updated Capital and Operating Budget based on Council's Direction
this is an upcoming stage for 2027 Budget Process: Proposed Uses Fees and ChargesThe updated 2027 Capital and Operating Budget based on Council's direction will be presented at the January 20, 2027 Council meeting.
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Public Information Meeting - 2027 Proposed Budget
this is an upcoming stage for 2027 Budget Process: Proposed Uses Fees and ChargesJanuary 27, 2027 the Township will hold a Public Information Meeting for the 2027 Proposed Budget. The public is welcome to attend this meeting and provide comments to Council.
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Final Budget Approval
this is an upcoming stage for 2027 Budget Process: Proposed Uses Fees and ChargesThe final budget approval will take place on February 17, 2027.