The Hamilton Farmers’ Market Board of Directors has passed its 2026 budget submission, which includes a 7.96 per cent increase in operating expenses. To align with Mayor Andrea Horwath’s “Hold The Line” budget directive, the Board proposes using reserve funds to reduce the property tax levy increase to 4.25 per cent.
The Mayor’s Directive requires all City departments, agencies, boards, and commissions to focus on lowering the 2026 election-year tax increase. Many City entities are using accounting methods—such as delaying new hiring until later in the year or dipping into reserves—to defer tax increases into the 2027 budget, which will follow the October 2026 municipal election.
The Farmers’ Market’s total 2026 operating expense is projected to be $1,036,269, an increase of $76,404 over the 2025 expense of $959,865. The increase is primarily attributed to inflation and staffing costs.
The City-funded portion of the Market’s budget is set at $401,286. Vendor rents and merchandise sales are forecast to provide the remaining revenue of $634,983.
Market vendor rent is scheduled to increase by 3.0 per cent, marking the first stall rent increase since 2017.
The Board plans to draw $44,096 from reserve funds to achieve the target 4.25 per cent tax levy impact. This reserve draw will create a future tax pressure for the 2027 budget.
Mayor Horwath will consider the submission before releasing her final Mayor’s budget in January.
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Published: November 30, 2025
Last updated: November 30, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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