2026 Budget Deliberations Start November 19, 2025

Prince Albert’s Budget Committee will meet starting November 19, 2025, to consider the proposed 2026 capital and operating budgets as presented by City Administration. These budgets cover a substantial portion of the City’s operations, including core functional areas such as recreation, police, parks, fleet, fire, streets and roads, transit, traffic, playgrounds, arts, and community clubs. 

Again this year, the budget package has been prepared in digital format, providing users with interactive access and the ability to view budget data in an accessible format via charts, tables, and graphs.  
The Budget Committee will meet to consider the proposed budget and review each operational area, making final determinations on spending priorities for the year and recommending them to City Council for final approval.

The estimated budget increase that would be funded from increases in property tax is approximately $4,422,153. This is the funding proposed to balance the 2026 budget. All items referred to the budget committee throughout the year have been included, as well as those items being proposed by Administration. The 2026 budget is subject to the Budget Committee’s review and prioritization.

“City’s administration has undertaken a comprehensive and diligent review of all departmental budgets to present a streamlined financial plan that reflects both fiscal responsibility and community priorities,” said Ramona Fauchoux, Director of Financial Services.

“This year’s budget reflects Council’s commitment to being fiscally responsible while continuing to provide the essential services our residents rely on every day,” said Sherry Person, City Manager. “We recognize the financial challenges facing households due to sustained inflation in recent years, and we have worked diligently to minimize the impact on residents while ensuring the City remains on a stable and sustainable financial path.” 

While several items affect the 2026 budget, the following is a list of the major cost drivers impacting the budget:

• $1M – 6th Avenue Viaduct – Bridge Rehabilitation
• $524,300 – Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre Operations (Includes savings from Frank Dunn and Dave Steuart Arena)
• $2.55M – Salaries, wages, and benefits for City Departments
• $890,000 – Police Service increase in funding 

To offset the impact on taxpayers, the proposed 2026 budget also includes $2.1 million in spending cuts across all departments following an internal spending review initiated earlier this year. 

The proposed 2026 budget is available at this link.

General Fund Budget Deliberations:        
There will be no presentations from the public during these meetings. The meetings will be live-streamed and can be accessed here: www.citypa.ca/council-meeting.

• Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – 8:00 am to approximately 5:00 pm
• Thursday, November 20, 2025 – 8:00 am to approximately 5:00 pm
• Friday, November 21, 2025 – 8:00 am to approximately 5:00 pm

All meetings listed above will be held in the Council Chamber at City Hall at the times specified. Interested residents are encouraged to attend the Budget Committee meetings on the first day, as deliberations may be completed early.

Sanitation, Utility, Airport and Land Fund Budget Deliberations
There will be no presentations from the public during these meetings. The meetings will be live-streamed and can be accessed here: www.citypa.ca/council-meeting.

• Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 4:00 pm to approximately 8:00 pm
• Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 4:00 pm to approximately 8:00 pm

All meetings listed above will be held in the Council Chamber at City Hall at the times specified. Interested residents are encouraged to attend the Budget Committee meetings on the first day, as deliberations may be completed early.

The presented budget is a preliminary estimate based on the information available at the time of preparation and should be used only for its intended purpose within the budgeting process. Council will review the budget, consider public input and priorities, make necessary adjustments, and determine the final tax rate after completing deliberations.

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For information regarding the proposed 2025 budget, please contact:
Ramona Fauchoux
Director, Financial Services
Phone: (306) 953-4354

For information regarding the budget Committee meetings, please contact:
Terri Mercier
City Clerk
Phone: (306) 953-4305