Part 2: Taxes, MAT Revenue & Financial Transparency - 04/07/2026

Following the first half of the meeting, council moved into the decision-making portion of the agenda. This is where the conversation shifted from big-picture issues like public health to the more immediate financial and operational decisions that directly affect residents across the County.

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The first item on the floor was the 2026 Tax Tools and Policies report. This is a routine but important annual step that sets how property taxes are calculated across different property classes.

Director of Finance staff confirmed there were no proposed changes from 2025, meaning tax ratios and reductions would remain consistent year over year. When it came time to vote, the motion was formally moved by Councillor Phil Prinzen and seconded by Councillor Phil St.-Jean, with council voting in favour to adopt the report.

Keeping tax ratios the same provides predictability for property owners, but it also reflects the broader financial pressures discussed earlier in the meeting. With rising costs in areas like public health, stability in tax structure does not necessarily mean stability in overall financial pressure.

Council then turned to the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) Financial Report for 2025, which outlines how revenue collected from short-term accommodations is being tracked and used.

The motion was brought forward by Councillor Bill Roberts and seconded by Councillor Roy Pennell, again receiving support from council. This time, however, the discussion opened up.

Councillor Kate MacNaughton asked about upcoming public consultation plans tied to MAT spending, looking for clarity on when and how residents would be able to weigh in. Staff confirmed that consultations are expected to begin in spring 2026, though details are still being finalized.

Councillor Janice Maynard raised a broader concern about how those funds are allocated. She emphasized the need to ensure that consultation results reflect the entire County, not just certain areas, noting that how feedback is gathered can shape where money ultimately goes.

St-Jean shifted the conversation toward enforcement, asking how confident the County is that all short-term rental operators are actually paying the tax. Staff explained that licensing and compliance systems are in place, including software that tracks listings, but acknowledged that enforcement can be challenging, especially for unregistered operators.

That line of questioning continued with Pennell, who pointed out that some operators may still be working outside the system entirely. Mayor Steve Ferguson responded by noting that compliant operators often help identify those who are not, suggesting that peer pressure within the industry plays a role in enforcement.

From there, council moved into a broader departmental update from Recreation and Community Facilities.

Director Lisa Sverson presented a snapshot of activity across County facilities, including over 44,000 visits in the first quarter, increased programming, and higher-than-expected revenue. The report highlighted strong usage of community spaces, something council has been watching closely.

St-Jean asked whether planned capital projects were on track, with Sverson confirming that work is progressing as scheduled, barring any supply or procurement delays.

Roberts brought up a more specific issue, asking about the future of the Picton Dukes hockey team, which has been reported as being up for sale. Sverson noted that discussions are ongoing and that there is interest in keeping the team in the County, with more information expected later in April.

Maynard focused on usage trends, asking for clearer metrics moving forward. Sverson confirmed that usage is already trending 9% higher than last year, with more detailed reporting to come.

The conversation then shifted back to finances, but this time with a longer-term lens.

Council reviewed a recommendation from the Audit Committee requesting a detailed analysis of the County’s debt position, including forecasts, ratios, and comparisons to other municipalities. The motion was moved by Councillor Engelsdorfer and seconded by Councillor MacNaughton, and it received strong support.

Director of Finance staff acknowledged that the scope of the request is significant, but also agreed that this type of information should be more accessible to both council and the public.

St.-Jean spoke in support of the motion, emphasizing the importance of making financial data easier to understand. He pointed out that without clear context, even accurate numbers can lead to confusion or misinformation. He also pushed for greater transparency by requesting that existing financial benchmarking data be made publicly available.

Pennell added that this information will be especially important for incoming council members after the next election, suggesting it should be shared early to help them understand the County’s financial position.

A follow-up motion, also supported by council, directed staff to present improvements to financial reporting systems and processes, with a focus on transparency and timeliness.

The remainder of the meeting moved quickly. Council approved several items through the consent agenda and passed a series of by-laws covering everything from funding agreements to zoning updates, before adjourning just after 9:00 p.m.

What this means for locals

Taken together, the second half of the meeting highlights a few clear realities for the County residents.

While tax structures are staying the same for now, financial pressure is building behind the scenes. Decisions around debt, reporting, and long-term planning suggest council is preparing for more difficult financial conversations ahead.

The Municipal Accommodation Tax continues to be an important and somewhat debated revenue tool. How that money is collected and spent will likely become a bigger topic as consultation begins and as enforcement challenges continue.

Community spaces and recreation services are seeing strong use, which reinforces their value but also means continued investment will be needed to maintain them.

Finally, there is a growing push for transparency. Several councillors made it clear that both council and the public need clearer, more accessible financial information. That shift could change how future decisions are communicated and understood across the County.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:41:17. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.