Interview with the Mayor - March 16th, 2026

Monday, 16 March 2026 10:17

Mayor Acchione talked about revenue budget, the Ship in Southside Park, and he's also celebrating his 52nd birthday today.

WOODSTOCK - We're in the final days of budget season in the City of Woodstock.

Woodstock's Revenue Budget for 2026 will be up for approval during this Thursday's City Council meeting.

The city is looking at a 2.6 percent increase to the base budget alone or a 6.81 percent increase will all of the suggested additions. If council approves just the base budget, the average homeowner would see an increase of $93.76 on the city's portion of their property tax bill. If council approves all of the requests from staff, that number jumps to $220.40.

Mayor Jerry Acchione says this is the toughest budget he has ever had in his 12-year political career.

"As a growing city but also an aging city, it's a real challenge of finding that sweet spot and recognising the needs from the wants."

Council members will bring motions forward to either add or take away from the budget during Thursday's meeting. This means the meeting could last several hours, depending on how many motions are brought forward.

It was also announced recently that the Woodstock Navy League is bidding farewell to is home of more than 50 years, a building known as The Ship in Southside Park. The building is owned by the city and it's being shutdown due to its deteriorating conditions.

Mayor Acchione says the Navy League has been aware of situation for several years, dating back to 2015.

"There was a lot of discussions back then about what needed to be done and the money needed for it. Then again in 2022, it was really recognised that the building was going downhill fast."

He adds it would cost about $3 million to fix it up. That price also does not include the 3.5 foot stilts the building would have to be on, because the area is considered to be a flood plain by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.

Mayor Acchione is working along side Brian Kaufman, the President of the Woodstock Navy League, to find the group a new home.

This Thursday's City Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and it will be livestreamed on the City of Woodstock YouTube page. You can also find the meeting agenda online here.

Mayor Acchione also discussed the following during his interview this morning:

- An application for a veterinary crematorium on Ridgeway Circle.

- A parking review by the Woodstock BIA that suggests paying a fee if you wish to park for longer than two hours in the downtown core.

- A big update for the Community Improvement Plan that would see it expand to the city as a whole, not just the downtown area.

- He also thanked everyone for the birthday wishes as he celebrated his 52nd birthday today.

You can listen to the full interview below: