(UPDATE) City proposes 100 projects worth $54.62 million for 2026

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A rendering of the new 106th Street Reservoir, one of the capital projects budgeted for in 2026. (City of Fort St. John)

Update, February 2nd, 10.30 a.m.: This story was updated to make clear how the projects are funded. Energeticcity.ca is happy to set the record straight.

FORT ST. JOHN. B.C. — The City of Fort St. John released its first look at its annual draft capital budget, which outlines almost 100 projects slated for 2026.

According to staff, Fort St. John taxes do not directly contribute to financing capital projects, with funds instead being gathered by various provincial, municipal and federal funds and grants.

These include the Canada Community-Building Fund – previously called the Gas Tax – the Peace River Agreement, various provincial and regional grants by applications, and city reserves operated by the city including capital, sewer and water reserves.

Alongside the draft operating budget, staff presented an estimated five-year funding summary which detailed approximately $54.62 million in 2026, $45.61 million in 2027, $31.26 million in 2028, $20.06 million in 2029 and $17.08 million in 2030.

Estimates beyond 2026 are smaller because they are incomplete, staff explained, as federal, provincial and regional grants in future years are not yet unconfirmed.

Of 2026’s $54.62 million of funding needed, approximately $13.57 million is carried over from ongoing projects begun in previous years.

Almost 100 projects were included in the budget’s five-year summary, including:

Fourteen roads slated for upgrades or reconstruction totaling $22.3 million.
Eight major infrastructure projects such as the 106th Street Reservoir estimated to cost approximately $16.33 million.
Approximately $8.62 million spread across 14 city infrastructure projects ranging from building demolition to playground equipment replacements.
Nineteen pieces of new equipment – ranging from IT surveillance systems to a fire truck engine – which came out to $4.43 million.
Twenty-six legislative updates and studies budgeted to approximately $3.14 million.

The exact cost estimates of each project were not included in the draft budget.

However, according to Darrell Blades, the city’s deputy chief administrative officer, all the projects are expected to fall within the 2026 budget of $54.62 million.