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May 5, 2026Council
Full RecordingFinancial Plan Bylaw No. 1168, 2026
Council finalized the five-year budget, which includes a 7.05% tax increase.
"Staff highlighted that 6.75% of the 7.05% tax increase is due to protective services (firefighters and RCMP). Councilors expressed regret over cutting the boulevard maintenance budget but supported the inclusion of graffiti removal funds. The Mayor noted that future growth must be managed carefully so that existing residents aren't burdened by the infrastructure costs for new arrivals."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1168, 2026 be adopted."
Moved by: Ron Mattson
Seconded by: John Rogers
John Rogers
Ron Mattson
Gery Lemon
Don Brown
Sid Tobias
Alison MacKenzie
April 21, 2026Council
Full Recording2026-2030 Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1168
Council discussed and gave preliminary approval to the Town's five-year budget, which includes a 7.05% tax increase.
"Staff explained that the 7.05% tax increase was reduced from an initial 8.69% through position prorating. The increase is driven by RCMP contracts (1.89%) and the hiring of four full-time firefighters (4%)."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the report dated April 16, 2026 from the Director of Finance titled '2026-2030 Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1168' be received for information."
Moved by: Don Brown
Seconded by: John Rogers
Sid Tobias
Ron Mattson
Alison MacKenzie
Don Brown
Gery Lemon
John Rogers
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Financial Plan Bylaw No. 1168, 2026 be given first, second and third readings."
Moved by: Ron Mattson
Seconded by: Don Brown
Gery Lemon
John Rogers
Sid Tobias
Ron Mattson
Alison MacKenzie
Don Brown
March 10, 2026Council
Full Recording2026-2030 Five Year Financial Plan Deliberations
Council reviewed and adjusted the upcoming city budget, including various construction and community projects.
"Council debated numerous line items in the budget. Key points of discussion included the Urban Forest Strategy, where Council opted to prioritize grant funding over casino revenue. A significant debate occurred regarding decorative crosswalks; Council voted to replace a $20,000 Veterans memorial crosswalk with $10,000 in banners to reduce costs and maintenance. Concerns were raised about the safety of an accessible playground at Chancellor Park, leading to a motion for staff to find a better location. Council also made the $300,000 Admiral's Road improvements contingent on future design approval and scrapped several road and drainage projects deemed unnecessary or premature."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT Council approve the Urban Forest Strategy GCC line item, with grant funding as the first option and casino revenue as the second option if grants are unavailable."
Moved by: Sid Tobias
Seconded by: Alison MacKenzie
Ron Mattson
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
Sid Tobias
Alison MacKenzie
John Rogers
Gery Lemon
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the off-street parking review budget be capped at $40,000."
Moved by: Sid Tobias
Seconded by: John Rogers
Ron Mattson
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
Sid Tobias
Alison MacKenzie
John Rogers
Gery Lemon
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the Veterans memorial crosswalk project be replaced with a banner program and the budget be reduced to $10,000."
Moved by: Sid Tobias
Seconded by: Don Brown
John Rogers
Gery Lemon
Ron Mattson
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
Sid Tobias
Alison MacKenzie
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT staff contact the federal government to seek an alternate, more suitable location for the accessible playground originally proposed for Chancellor Park."
Moved by: Damian Kowalewich
Seconded by: Sid Tobias
Sid Tobias
Alison MacKenzie
John Rogers
Gery Lemon
Ron Mattson
Don Brown
Damian Kowalewich
March 3, 2026Council
Full Recording2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan & Project Consideration
Staff presented the five-year budget plan, which includes a proposed tax increase to cover new fire staff and other costs.
"Director of Finance Steven Vella outlined the 8.69% proposed tax increase, noting it is driven by four new firefighters and reconciliation work. He highlighted a projected $200k drop in casino revenue by 2030. Councillor Mattson expressed concern over the $300k in new-property revenue being consumed by operational costs and questioned high consulting fees. Councillor Rogers inquired about future police building impacts. Mayor Tobias discussed creative ways to use Growing Community Funds to offset future RCMP costs."
Formal MotionPassed
"THAT the report on the 2026-2030 Draft Financial Plan be received for information."
Moved by: Ron Mattson
Seconded by: Alison MacKenzie
Sid Tobias
Ron Mattson
Gery Lemon
Alison MacKenzie
Don Brown
John Rogers