Norfolk County launches 2027 Budget Engagement activities

Friday, October 02, 2026

Residents are invited to share feedback online, at the Norfolk County Fair, and through a new interactive Budget Challenge

Norfolk County is inviting residents to help inform the development of the 2027 Budget by participating in a series of budget engagement activities taking place throughout October.

Resident feedback is one of many factors considered by Council during budget deliberations, alongside legislation, service requirements, infrastructure needs, available funding, and long-term financial planning.

Residents can participate in several ways:

Visit Norfolk County at the Norfolk County Fair

Residents can visit the Norfolk County booth in Building 6 at the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show, running October 6 to 12, to participate in interactive budget engagement activities, learn more about Norfolk County services, and share their feedback with County staff.

Visitors will have the opportunity to:

Participate in the hands-on "Build Your Priorities" LEGO activity
Complete the 2027 Budget Survey and Budget Challenge
Share ideas and feedback
Learn more about Norfolk County's budget and services
Ask questions and connect with Norfolk County staff

Participants will receive Norfolk County giveaways while quantities last.

For Fair hours, admission, attractions, and directions, visit the Norfolk County Agricultural Society website at norfolkagsociety.com.

Take the Budget Challenge

The interactive Budget Challenge allows residents to explore how they would allocate Norfolk County's $146 million annual tax levy across a variety of municipal services and priorities.

Participants can compare their choices with the County's actual budget and learn more about the trade-offs involved in balancing community needs.

The Budget Challenge is available at EngageNorfolk.ca/Budget until October 31, 2026.

Complete the 2027 Budget Survey

Residents are invited to complete a short online survey at EngageNorfolk.ca/Budget until October 31, 2026.

Printed copies of the survey are also available at:

About the budget process

Norfolk County’s 2027 Budget is being developed during a municipal election year, with the process extending into early 2027 under the leadership of a new incoming mayor. Public engagement will close October 31, with results shared in mid-December. Following the start of the new Council term, the incoming Mayor is expected to provide direction to staff to support preparation of the draft budgets, which are anticipated to be published for review in January.

Council’s consideration of the draft budgets is expected to continue through January and February, including staff presentations and opportunities for Councillors to ask questions and propose amendments at budget deliberation meetings. The approval process will conclude with 2027 budgets being adopted. All anticipated timing is at the Mayor’s discretion and subject to applicable legislative requirements.

Learn more and get involved

Residents can learn more about the budget process, provide feedback, complete the survey, and take the Budget Challenge at EngageNorfolk.ca/Budget. Feedback collected through the engagement activities will be summarized and provided to Council as part of the 2027 Budget process.

Quotes

Mayor Amy Martin

“Good local government starts with an informed and engaged community. Our goal has been to give residents a clear understanding of Norfolk’s finances, the services their tax dollars support, and the choices and challenges ahead. It’s important to hear from residents before decisions are made. This engagement will give the next Council valuable insight into the priorities of the people they serve as they begin making decisions about Norfolk’s next budget.”

Amy Fanning, Treasurer

"Developing the municipal budget is always a careful balancing act between maintaining the services and investments our community values and managing the financial pressures facing both the municipality and our residents. This year, those pressures are particularly significant, making public engagement more important than ever. The feedback we receive through these opportunities will help shape the budget process and provide Council with a clearer understanding of residents’ priorities as budget decisions are considered"

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