By Thomas Smith

Minden’s Mayor Bob Carter has accessed his Strong Mayor Powers, and opted to veto a number of amendments council had presented to the 2026 budget.

Under the newly implemented regulations of Strong Mayor Powers, put in place since May of last year, the municipal mayor is responsible for presenting the budget based on staff recommendations.

On Dec. 15, Carter presented a draft budget during a regular meeting, to which council members had a number of concerns. “This budget was developed to meet certain goals for the community,” said Carter. “The budget sustained and strove to enhance essential programs and services. The budget continued a robust Capital Investment program, focusing on infrastructure and put aside 1.5 per cent for future capital needs.”

With a tax increase of 3.95 per cent, the proposed budget included funding for a new community centre in Lochlin, and environmental considerations at Scotch Line waste facility. “This was all done while maintaining healthy financial reserves and attempting to keep tax rates affordable,” said Carter.

The Dec. 15 meeting was nearly nine hours long to discuss the proposed budget. At the end of the meeting, tensions were high, and a special meeting was called for early in the new year. During the following meeting, council approved over 25 amendments to the proposed budget. “A number of these were to include charges that were unknown or unavailable at the time of the original budget,” said Carter. “Others were to correct errors or omissions.”

Under the regulations of Strong Mayor Powers, Carter was then granted a number of days to either accept the amendments, or veto them.

In a public statement made on Jan. 16, Carter shared that he has opted to accept some suggestions, but veto eight of the proposed changes. With all suggested amendments, the tax increase would have been 5.29 per cent. With Carter’s eight vetoes taken into consideration, the tax rate has been capped at 4.46 per cent.

Each of the vetoes are clearly outlined on the Township of Minden Hill’s website. One of the amendments Carter vetoed was “That Council amends the 2026 Mayoral Budget to remove $120,000 from Capital Budget for the Pickup truck in the Public Works – Roads.”

Carter provided a lengthy explanation for the veto, largely, that it is a department that continues to grow in need as the population of the community increases. He noted that neighbouring communities have a similar network of roads, and maintain them with three or more vehicles or staffing resources.

Another veto was for funds set aside for the former fire hall, which sits decrepit off Prince Street. The amendment made for that project proposed adding $50,000 to the tax levy for a project around the old fire hall. The project was undefined at the time of the proposal.

“(We) are consulting with business owners to determine programs and investments needed to revitalize the town,” said Carter behind his reasoning. “The outcomes of that work will provide needed direction to determine what is needed and desired in Minden, including the undeveloped area and the Old Fire Hall. Without the results of that work, it is highly speculative to increase the tax levy by $50,000 for an undefined study.”

Carter also noted that because this is an election year, the next council should be responsible for projects of that capacity, and the developments they wish to lead.

The announcement of Carter using his Strong Mayor Powers to challenge the amendments was met with mixed results on social media, with some questioning the democratic process, and others confused about the need for such powers in a rural setting.

Mayor Carter’s vetoes to council amendments came into effect on Jan. 16, but are not necessarily set in stone. With the written vetoes and reasoning behind each one, council can override him with a two-thirds majority vote. The final day of the Minden budgeting process is set for Feb. 3.