Fort Frances, Ontario – 2026/01/19 – The District of Rainy River Services Board (DRRSB) has approved its 2026 Budget, totaling $38,602,958, which includes a 4.63 per cent municipal levy increase. The budget was approved following careful deliberation and was not unanimous, reflecting the financial pressures facing both service delivery and the municipalities that fund a portion of these services.

The development of the 2026 Budget required extensive analysis, collaboration across departments, and careful prioritization to manage rising operating and capital costs. Significant effort was made to contain expenditures and identify efficiencies, requiring flexibility and creative approaches to bring the budget forward at its approved level while continuing to meet legislated service requirements.

Despite these constraints, the approved budget maintains investments in key areas, including upgrades to buildings and essential equipment to support safe and reliable operations, as well as initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining qualified personnel, which remain critical to sustaining services across a large and geographically dispersed district.

Board discussions acknowledged that the pressures reflected in the budget extend beyond DRRSB and are being felt by municipalities and service system managers across rural and Northern Ontario. Factors such as inflation, increasing service demands, and higher operating costs associated with geography and workforce challenges continue to limit local flexibility and place greater reliance on municipal levies to support provincially mandated services.

“This budget reflects the difficult balance between managing real and growing cost pressures while being mindful of the impact on our municipal partners and residents,” said Deb Ewald, Board Chair. “While there were differing perspectives around the table, the shared focus remained on maintaining essential services for the communities we serve.”

At the same meeting, the Board confirmed leadership continuity, with Deb Ewald and Andrew Hallikas acclaimed to serve another term as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.

The 2026 Budget reflects the realities of delivering mandated services in rural and Northern communities, where cost pressures are shaped by geography, rising operating and capital costs, workforce challenges, and increasing service demands. As these pressures continue, DRRSB will continue to focus on long-term planning, financial oversight, and collaboration to ensure services remain available and responsive to community needs.