Five votes in favour leave the Rideau Lakes budget veto in place
RIDEAU LAKES — Rideau Lakes council failed to gather enough votes Monday to override Mayor Arie Hoogenboom’s veto of several amendments to the township’s 2026 budget.
The motion, brought forward by Coun. Paula Banks, sought to reinstate five budget changes previously approved by council but vetoed by the mayor under Ontario’s strong mayor powers legislation.
Council needed a two-thirds majority to override the veto. The motion received five votes in favour, one short of the six required.
Before debate began, Coun. Dustin Bulloch attempted to divide the motion so each budget item could be voted on separately. That request failed, forcing council to vote on all five items together.
The motion proposed restoring the following changes to the budget:
- Removing $75,000 allocated for a pickleball court at the Elgin Municipal Complex;
- Adding $36,200 for roof repairs to the Gallagher property;
- Adding $7,000 for front repairs at the Chantry office building;
- Adding $29,500 for walkway work at the Elgin Municipal Complex; and,
- Funding two per cent of the proposed 4.8 per cent tax increase from reserves, reducing the effective increase to 2.82 per cent.
Bulloch said he supported the walkway project but opposed using reserves to reduce the tax increase.
“I do believe reserves are something we need to continue building up,” he said, noting the township faces significant infrastructure investments in the coming years.
Coun. Debbie Hutchings questioned the plan to build new amenities while existing facilities require repairs.
“We’re not looking after what we already have,” she said, adding that council should focus on maintaining existing assets before funding new projects.
Coun. Jeff Banks raised concerns about approving the budget without a clear picture of the township’s financial position for 2025.
“It is very reckless to pass a budget when we don’t have the reserve numbers,” he said.
Hoogenboom defended the veto, saying his responsibility under the new legislation is to maintain fiscal discipline.
“I think it’s reckless to draw down our reserves to keep our taxes artificially low,” he said, noting the township recently withdrew funds from reserves to purchase a second wheel excavator.
He added that the proposed 4.8 per cent municipal tax increase would be closer to 3.3 per cent when county and school board rates are combined.
Following debate, a recorded vote was held.
Councillors Jeff Banks, Paula Banks, Linda Carr, Debbie Hutchings and Sue Dunfield voted in favour of overriding the veto.
Bulloch, Marcia Maxwell, Ron Pollard and Hoogenboom voted against.
With only five votes in favour, the motion failed and the mayor’s veto remains in effect.
Later in the meeting, council approved a separate motion from Jeff Banks directing the treasurer to provide an estimate of the township’s 2025 year-end financial position by the end of April.
Treasurer Dave Schur said the estimate would provide an indication of any surplus or deficit but would remain subject to changes through the audit process.
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