The 2026 Budget was passed by council, resulting in our Bluewater 2026 property taxes increasing by 3.17%.

This will result in an estimated increase of Bluewater taxes for common properties of:

· $46 per year for an average single family home, based on average value of $269,000.
· $66 per year for a seasonal recreational dwelling, based on average value of $387,000.
· $27 per year for small retail commercial properties, based on average value of $142,000
· $53 per year for farm land based on average value of$1,234,800.

The Top allocations in the $11,117,548 Operating Budget were:

· Roads and Bridges Consolidated – $ 4,060,224
· Fire Department - $1,493,571
· Facilities including parks and programs - $2,331,840

One-Time Revenues Utilized
In order to lessen the impact of the property tax levy on residents for 2026, staff have made use of several one-time sources, including Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Surplus rebate allocations and Reserve funds totaling $976,435.86 or 9.16%. These funds are temporary in nature and will not be available for use in the 2027 budget or in any future years. As a result, it should be anticipated that, before any new initiatives or cost increases are considered, approximately 9.16% more in levy funding will be required to maintain existing service levels at the start of the 2027 budget process.

The BRA observes all council meetings, follows Council activities, lobbies issues on behalf of our community where appropriate and monitors what is considered wasteful spending. An example from fiscal year 2025 is:
1. Against the advice of the Fire Chief, the Bluewater Council voted to attempt to improve the performance of a pump, on a firetruck that is to be replaced in the next couple of years, at an estimated cost of $30,000. The Chief said the truck engine could be run at higher rpms to achieve the necessary pressure.

The BRA and its residents are very concerned about the dangerous intersection at the corner of Highway 21/ Mill Road and Cameron Street. On June 25, 2025 a pick-up truck and a motorcycle led to the closure of Highway 21 for hours and resulted in a life threatening injury. On July 28, 2025 another serious multi-vehicle accident occurred involving Bayfield residents resulting in hospitalization and lengthy recoveries.

Local council passed a motion in February, 2022 requesting MTO to investigate the intersection due to safety and congestion issues. As a result of further requests, MTO completed a study this past November 2025.

MTO is now saying they will be awarding an assignment for detailed design on the intersection improvements and a crosswalk across from Glen Gregor Square. It is currently believed MTO’s recommendation is to add two left turn lanes on Highway 21 and add stop lights to the Mill Street / 21 interchange. MTO has agreed there will be a notice of project update letter with proposed detailed design sent to emergency services, property owners, businesses and the municipality. As part of the notice they will be accepting feedback on the proposed design.

MTO has indicated that these changes will occur in 2026.
To strengthen the community’s collective voices, the BRA is initiating the Bayfield Safety Focus Group. The mandate for the group will be to:
• Raise public awareness
• Gather community insights
• Advocate with the municipality, county, and MTO for meaningful and lasting safety improvements

If you are interested in participating, please contact Anette Christensen Kalm at: achristensenkalm@gmail.com, representative of the Bayfield Ratepayers Association.

Blue Water Generation Inc. has proposed and received municipal approval to proceed to submission to IESO for approval to build up to four small power generating stations using natural gas powered reciprocating engines. These will be installed in weatherproof enclosures with noise abatement equipment. These stations would be located on a farmer’s property on Mill Road just west of Goshen Line. They would provide power to the electrical grid when usage is high and there is a demand for more power. Council has approved up to four stations based on the commitment that the farmer is in agreement with having them on their property and they will meet all provincial noise and emission standards. The noise level is reported to be equivalent to a lawn mower.
Any expansion to additional units will require further Council approval.

The Municipality of Bluewater is currently undertaking an expansion to the Bayfield Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project is projected to be completed by June 2026, subject to weather. The expanded capacity will allow for adding up to 502 new homes to the waste water system. Currently there are 80-90 existing homes/lots waiting to be hooked up to the sewer. The remainder of the 502 would be available for new homes to be approved within the Bayfield Settlement Area.
It is proposed that as of January 5, 2026, planning applications for new development be processed by the Municipality with the understanding that the expanded plant will not be fully operational until the projected date of June,2026. It is anticipated that initial approvals will be given to existing properties in Bayfield needing sewer hookup. Additional development will be subject to the Bayfield Secondary plan.

149 short-term rental applications have been received in 2025 with 3 applications rejected. 105 short-term rental licenses have been issued in 2025.
The revenue from STR licensing fees is decreasing from $143,325 in 2024 to $128,250 by October 28, 2025, versus a 2025 budget of $160,000.
It is not clear why the number of STRs is going down. It could be that people who were only renting a few times a year are not applying, or with the licensing fees people are no longer interested in having an STR
It could be coincidence that the municipality is no longer running the scouring software suggesting that perhaps people are no longer applying in hope to not get caught? Those that choose to not apply are only hurting those that follow the bylaw who “may” end up paying more as it is a full cost recovery program.
We encourage the Municipality to start using the scouring software again to see to ensure all STRs are licensed.