Prince Albert councillors eye property tax hike

WATCH: On Wednesday, the City of Prince Albert budget committee began deliberations on the 2026 general fund budget.

On Wednesday morning the City of Prince Albert budget committee began deliberations on a 2026 city general fund budget.

The initial proposal shows a $7 million increase in revenue from 2025 with a $6 million increase in expenses.

Several councillors voiced concerns from residents about the proposed budget’s impact on property tax as it includes $4.4 million in additional funding from taxation.

“It’s to find that base budget so that you’re not hurting the taxpayers with too many increases all the time,” said City Manager Sherry Person.

“We want to be kind of flat moving forward.”

Councillors debated which projects must be completed this year and which ones could be completed on a looser timeline.

The city manager says one significant expense, the new Lake Country Co-Op Leisure Centre, has not had an impact when it comes to evaluating property tax.

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Annual financing payments on the centre are funded through the recreation reserve. The funding plan relies on fundraising, grants, loans and projected tax revenue from new businesses in the developing Yard district.

This morning the budget committee approved $4 million in financing payments to three separate loans on the leisure centre.

Around $60 million remains to be paid on the facility with the final payment due in 2058.

As of 3pm Wednesday, the committee had adjusted the proposed budget to save $125,000 in taxation and $100,000 in reserve.

Budget discussions are scheduled to continue Thursday and Friday.