Fort St. John people have their say on upcoming budgets at open meeting

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – City council is in the final stretch of approving its budgets for 2025 and beyond after an open house with residents earlier this week.

At 6 p.m. on March 10th, the City of Fort St. John council hosted a public meeting at City Hall regarding the draft 2025 operating budget and the draft 2025 five-year capital budget. 

These were the same budgets council had reviewed in previous meetings.

The operating budget highlighted approximately $124.4 million in revenue and expenditures for 2025, and accounted for revenue changes in government transfers, return of investments, taxes and grants, and internal transfers from other city functions. 

The five-year capital plan outlined funding estimates for projects by year and category. 

The city anticipates there will be approximately $62.1 million in costs in 2025, $48.3 million in 2026, $17.4 million in 2027, $23.3 million in 2028 and $22.3 million in 2029. 

The budget has been constructed to account for approved federal, provincial and regional grants, the Canada Community-Building Fund, annual funding from the Peace River Agreement, as well as capital, sewer and water reserves. 

None of the residents in attendance raised strong objections to the budgets, and only one rose to address the council. 

The resident, who did not give her name, asked for clarification on the staffing cost portion of the budget, which she indicated was 48 per cent. Staff confirmed her calculations were correct, and she further indicated this was “concerning” and “not ideal” for long-term budgeting. 

With no further discussion or questions for attendees, the council will move forward with finalizing and approving the budgets in upcoming council meetings.