The District of Rainy River Services Board (DRRSB) has approved a $38.6-million budget for 2026 that maintains spending in key areas but acknowledges “financial pressures” being felt by municipalities and service system managers across rural and Northern Ontario.
The budget, which increased the municipal levy by 4.63 per cent, did not receive unanimous support from the board, “reflecting the financial pressures facing both service delivery and the municipalities that fund a portion of these services,” the DRRSB said in a press release.
It was developed with “collaboration across departments, and careful prioritization to manage rising operating and capital costs.” In addition, the board had to “contain” spending look for efficiencies, requiring flexible and creative approaches to achieve the service requirements it must meet by law.
“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,” Board Chair Deb Ewald said in the press release.
“While there were differing perspectives around the table, the shared focus remained on maintaining essential services for the communities we serve.”
The increase in municipal levy means that municipalities must allocate more of their own budgets to DRRSB. Council may need to raise local property taxes, cut other services or defer capital projects to absorb the increase.
The DRRSB delivers several essential public services on behalf of the communities in the Rainy River District. It oversees housing programs, homelessness prevention, Ontario Works income and employment assistance, child‑care service and paramedic and emergency medical services.
Its role is to coordinate these provincially mandated services efficiently and consistently across the district, ensuring residents have access to safe housing, social supports and emergency care
The board said the budget maintains investment for 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.”
But it warned that inflation, increasing service demands and higher operating costs associated with geography and workforce challenges will continue to limit local flexibility and place greater reliance on municipal levies to support its provincially mandated services.
The board also confirmed that Ewald and Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas were acclaimed to serve another term as chair and vice-Chair, respectively.
