Proposed 2026 Budget Ready for Community Input
Following two days of deliberations, City of Castlegar Council has released the proposed 2026–2030 Financial Plan and is now seeking feedback from residents.
The proposed 2026 budget includes a preliminary 7.76 per cent tax increase for residential properties. Council will set the tax rates in April once the revised roll is available from BC Assessment. It’s important to note that City taxes are only one part of your tax notice, which also includes levies collected on behalf of the Province of BC (school tax), regional district, and hospital district.
The proposed 2026 budget reflects the City’s commitment to maintaining reliable services and core infrastructure while planning for the future of a growing community. It also accounts for increased responsibilities stemming from new provincial and federal requirements. Budget highlights include:
- Implement the City’s 2026-2028 Organizational Plan to improve efficiency and effectiveness
- Major upgrades to the South Sewage Treatment Plant’s North Train Renewal project
- Develop a Parks Master Plan to plan the future of the City’s park space
- Complete construction of the Brandson Memorial Park
- Implement a citizen survey to inform the City’s service levels
- Complete the Accessory Dwelling Unit Program to help increase affordable housing options
- Continued implementation of recommendations of the Fire Services Review
- Implement the Next Generation 911 (NG911) service
- Continue to implement recommendations from the Castlegar Housing Strategy
- Continue the design phase and begin construction of the airport terminal building
- Continue work with Transport Canada to obtain approval for Required Navigation Performance (RNP) to improve reliability at the West Kootenay Regional Airport
- Continue working with partners on the Primary Care and Housing project to deliver on the City’s Housing Strategy
- Civic Works equipment replacement program
“City departments worked collaboratively to develop this year’s draft budget, identifying efficiencies and savings while addressing growing pressures on service levels,” says Steffan Klassen, Director of Finance & Technology. “We worked to ensure the budget reflects the necessary resources needed to provide the required services and critical infrastructure while endeavouring to minimize financial impacts on our residents and businesses.”
Residents can watch the recordings of Council’s 2026 Draft Budget deliberations from March 3 and March 5 at castlegar.ca/councilmeetings.
Share Your Thoughts
The City is hosting a public drop-in open house to share information and receive feedback on the proposed 2026 Budget.
Open House details:
- Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. – 7.:00 p.m.
- In-person: Community Forum, 445 – 13th Ave.
- Online via Zoom: Find login details at castlegar.ca/events
- Staff presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Find the proposed 2026–2030 Financial Plan at castlegar.ca/budget and send your thoughts via email to budget@castlegar.ca by March 20, 2026.
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