City of Fort St. John debuts 2026 draft budget

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City of Fort St. John City Hall Council Chambers (City of Fort St. John)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John residents can expect a one to two per cent tax increase if the city’s 2026 budget is approved, according to early assessment values.

During the January 26th committee of the whole meeting of the City of Fort St. John council, Shirley Collington, director of finance, presented the first draft of the city’s 2026 $130.7 million operating budget.

According to Collington, this is accumulated from a variety of funding sources:

$42.70 million in taxes or grants in lieu of taxes
$38.54 million from government transfers
$19.1 million collected for other governments and government organizations such as the Peace River Regional District and B.C.
$15.87 million in sales of services such as city facility user fees
$6.01 million from ‘own sources’
$3.93 million in transfers from other city accounts
$3.30 million in return on investments
$1.28 million from services provided to other governments, such as fire suppression assistance

Comparing the draft budget to the 2025 budget, Collington noted a $4.08 million increase in taxes, grants in lieu and collections for other governments, and a $2.20 million increase in transfers from other governments.

The finance department also included a breakdown which said it costs $7.20 per person per day for the city to provide services. This is based on the city’s 2024 population estimate of 24,273.

City council — The City of Fort St. John’s department of finance broke down the cost of city services per person per day, separating it into functions according to cost. (City of Fort St. John)

The budget also details an increase in total taxation compared to 2025 which – pending April tax assessments – is expected to be between 1.75 and two per cent.

This will primarily impact residents and businesses, with other taxation classes not expected to increase municipal taxes. These other classes include utility, major and light industry, recreation or non-profit and farming.

Collington explained the city’s projected expenses also equal $130.7 million, with 32.19 per cent of the expenses classified ‘transfers out,’ meaning the funds will be moved to different city funds.

Approximately 23 per cent of the budget will go towards salaries, wages and employee benefits; 16.42 per cent will go to contracted and general services; and 14.61 per cent is budgeted for ‘other tax requisitions.’

The remaining approximately 13 per cent of the budget is scheduled to go towards materials, goods and supplies, ‘other expenses,’ debt repayment and adjustments, interest and utilities.

Compared to the city’s 2025 budget, Collington stated the 2026 draft budget taxation shows an increase of approximately $5 million.

According to Collington, the budgets will be refined throughout the next several months and be presented to residents in a public meeting sometime at the end of February. A date has yet to be selected, and will be announced by the city in advance.