By : Francine Bastien
Mayor Lee Patterson’s new administration presented a prudent budget for this year but is preparing for a significant increase in the municipality’s long-term debt.
Thus, in 2026, homeowners with water and sewer services will see their property tax bills increase by 2.5%, an increase of one cent per $100 of assessed value compared to last year. Homes without service will be taxed at a rate of 2.4%. The Town estimated the inflation rate (CPI) at 3.1% in 2025.
Tariffs, the price of services, remain fairly stable, except for water which increases by 11.1% and the ecocentre – managed by the MRC – which sees an increase of 21.6%.
The average value of a residence in Brome Lake is estimated at $772,200; less than 10 years ago, this same “average” value was $350,000.
Expenses
In terms of expenses, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) ranks among the highest at $2,959,276, “…completely disproportionate to the services rendered,” said Mayor Patterson. Public works are estimated at $5.1 million this year, while the Town’s general administration will cost $3.2 million without any increase in staff.
Updating and adding technological tools for employees, such as the use of AI, will increase administrative expenses by 7%.
Three-year investments
The reconstruction of the 7 kms of Fulford Road, described by General Manager Gilbert Arel as “one of the largest projects in TBL’s history,” is expected to be completed in 2026 at a cost of $7.9 million, less a $2 million grant from the Quebec government.
A total of $11.5 million will be allocated to road infrastructure this year. The fire station project, now estimated at over $12 million, has been postponed to 2027–28. The revitalization of downtown Knowlton, estimated at $15 million (including the burying of electrical wires), will have to wait until 2029–30.
Increase in debt
These important projects – which will require substantial borrowing – as well as the upgrade of the Town’s main well ($5M) will increase the long-term debt by approximately $13M between 2026 and 2028, bringing it to around $32M.
TBL Budget : the figures over the years …
New homeowners in Brome Lake expect their property taxes to increase at this time of year, keeping pace with inflation. For those who have been established here longer, the situation is different.
This small calibration exercise over a period of about ten years is proof of that…
Land value: in 2015 it was $1,263,680,000, in 2025 it reaches $3,362,912,000, an increase of 166% over 10 years.
Ten years ago, the Town’s revenues reached $12 million; this year, they will be $23.27 million, almost double.
In 2021, a residence assessed at $400,000 paid $2,660 in municipal taxes (0.665 per $100).
In 2026, – just five years later – the same residence was worth $759,672 and paid $3,267 in taxes (0.43 per $100), which represents an average increase of 4.2% per year.
Which goes to show that everything is perhaps relative…but much more expensive!