Mayor Cleveland is pleased to announce a successful outcome in budget discussions with the Cobourg Public Library.
Thanks to constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to residents new budget projections for 2026 will allow the library to maintain its current level of service and operating hours while limiting its budget increase to just 3.41% — a total increase of $41,658.
This outcome is particularly significant given early community concerns that achieving a balanced budget could require reducing operating hours by 1.5 days per week without an increase of up to 38%.
“I want to sincerely thank Adam Giddings, our Director of Corporate Services and Treasurer, as well as the executive team of the Cobourg Public Library and Councillor Aaron Burchat for their leadership throughout this process.
Together, they found efficiencies and savings that allow us to protect service levels while keeping the library budget increase to just 3.41%.
These results show what respectful dialogue and teamwork can accomplish for the residents of Cobourg,” said Mayor Lucas Cleveland.
“While this amount is above the 3% target set in the Mayoral Directive, those were just targets — not hard limits — and I am very appreciative of the effort and collaboration that allowed us to strike a balance.
Moving forward, if we expect the staff to maintain the high-quality programming, we as a community depend on, the next term of Council and next library board will need to review long-term changes to library funding and operations.
The library cannot be expected to continue making sacrifices while other agencies and departments receive more year over year.”
As the Library budget moves forward with stability and fiscal responsibility — avoiding service cuts and extreme increases — it is also noted that today the Cobourg Police Service is presenting its budget estimate, which includes a proposed 20.5% increase, reflecting a tax impact of approximately
$1,607,812.00 for the 2026 fiscal year.
The Office of the Mayor will continue to review all departmental budgets both internal and external with a focus on accountability, service protection, and long term sustainable financial planning in anticipation of the first Mayoral budget being under the new provincial legislation that is due to the Council and the
public December 8, 2025.
Author: Pete Fisher
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