Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland introduced his first proposed budget on Monday under the Strong Mayor Powers he received from the province earlier this year.
Today’s Northumberland interviewed the mayor in his office on Thursday about the draft, which has a proposed levy increase of 2.70% over last year’s municipal budget.
The questions were received from our readers ahead of the interview. Topics included using reserves to once again lower the police budget request and once again push the problem down the road, not taking a more collaborative approach like Port Hope’s Mayor Olena Hankivsky and using a community taskforce instead of his elected council members and why even smaller expenses for departments aren’t more scrutinized.
The mayor was also asked why, during challenging financial times and large budget increase requests from the Cobourg Fire Department, the Fire Chief Ellard Beavan is allowed to use his town-owned vehicle to travel regularly to his home in Timmins.
Cleveland released his budget on Dec. 8, well ahead of the Feb. 1 deadline required under the legislation. That started the time of up to 30 days for the rest of Cobourg council to review it and propose amendments. Council is moving swiftly as municipal clerk Brent Larmer previously cautioned that the upcoming holidays don’t stop the clock on the 30-day limit.
Council has called a special meeting for Monday at 10:30 a.m. for that purpose and members of the public have an opportunity to speak as well. (https://todaysnorthumberland.ca/2025/12/09/special-cobourg-council-meeting-called-for-december-15-2025/)
The mayor will have up to 10 days to veto any amendments proposed, but council will have one final opportunity to have its say with up to 15 days to override. To be successful in that effort, there will need to be two-thirds support or five out of seven council members.
Cleveland has stated it will be the whole of council that will make the final decision on the budget and levy increase. However, he would need just a minority of council to support his original budget during an override process – his vote and two other members of council even if four vote against.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
