2027 Budget Deliberations start on Nov 25
Prince Albert’s Budget Committee will meet beginning November 25, 2026, to consider the proposed 2027 capital and operating budgets as presented by City Administration. These budgets fund a significant share of City services, including police and fire, roads, transit, parks, recreation and other community services.
Administration approached the 2027 budget differently, reviewing service delivery, reserves, capital projects, and departmental budgets with a focus on delivering the best value for the community and identifying efficiencies that can be sustained over time. The result is a budget with the lowest proposed increase since 2021.
“The lower proposed tax impact isn’t just about cutting spending. It reflects changes in how we deliver services, plan projects and manage City finances,” says George Marshall, Executive Director of Corporate Finance. “Our reserve strategy is one example. We are simplifying our reserves, setting clear balance targets and reviewing them every year. These changes are about making better use of the City’s resources and finding efficiencies that last.”
The reserve review is helping ensure reserve contributions are aligned with established targets, capital needs and the City’s long-term financial requirements.
Administration is also proposing a $500,000 Continuous Improvement Target for 2027, creating a measurable, City-wide expectation to find efficiencies, improve processes and identify new revenue opportunities. This shifts continuous improvement from a general objective to a measurable financial target over time.
“The 2027 Budget reflects a more disciplined approach to managing the City’s finances,” says Craig Guidinger, City Manager. “We are looking beyond a single budget year to find efficiencies, strengthen our financial planning, and ensure every dollar is used where it provides the most value. This is not simply about spending less. It is about spending wisely, while maintaining the services residents rely on and positioning Prince Albert for the future.”
Following Administration’s review, the proposed 2027 budget includes an approximate increase of $1.57 million. The Budget Committee will now review the proposal and determine its priorities before making a final recommendation to City Council.
The budget package has been prepared in digital format, providing users with interactive access to budget data through charts, tables, and graphs. The Budget Committee will meet to consider the proposed budget, review each operational area, make final determinations on spending priorities for the year, and recommend them to City Council for final approval.
2027 Budget Dates
The proposed 2027 budget is available at this link: www.citypa.ca/budget
General Fund Budget Deliberations:
There will be no public presentations during these meetings. The meetings will be live-streamed and can be accessed here: www.citypa.ca/council-meeting.
- Wednesday, November 25, 2026 @ 4:00 PM
- Thursday, November 26, 2026 @ 1:00 PM
- Friday, November 27, 2026 @ 1:00 PM
- Saturday, November 28, 2026 @ 8:00 AM
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 public presentations during these meetings. The meetings will be live-streamed and can be accessed here: www.citypa.ca/council-meeting.
- Wednesday, December 02, 2026 @ 4:00 PM
- Thursday, December 03, 2026 @ 4:00 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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Media Contact:
George Marshall
Executive Director of Corporate Finance
Savannah Price
City Clerk
