City reports net operating surplus of $73K in annual report presentation

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The City of Fort St. John’s annual report shows a net operating surplus of $73,913.

The city’s director of finance, Shirley Collington, and Ryan Harvey, the communications manager, presented the 2025 annual report, which was approved by the council during the June 22nd regular council meeting.

In 2025, the city had 12 low-risk indicators and two high-risk indicators.

The report explained that through 14 key indicators, the municipality’s risk is assessed, and the city will be able to view its financial performance. These indicators are split between revenue, budget, debt and capital.

The city’s reliance on transfers and its budget deficits in the last five years.

Collington said, “We receive more than $25 million per year from the Peace River agreement, which we are very thankful for.”

“But this contributes to our robust capital plan and essentially is what continues to transform our city.”

She noted that the city has had four deficits in the last five years, with 2025 being the city’s first surplus year.

The city’s 2025 statement of operations and accumulated surplus shows an annual surplus of $24.1 million, but this statement incorporates the capital revenue, capital expenditures and non-cash items.

While comparing the 2025 budget to the 2025 actuals, the report said, the city experienced a net operating surplus of $73,913, which can be due to staff vacancies.

According to the report, the city earned approximately $110.32 million in revenue in 2025, with more than $40 million coming from net municipal property taxes.

“We continue to be a unique position of receiving approximately receiving one-thirds of our revenues through the government grants,” Collington said.

Government transfer to the city in 2025 was approximately $39.37 million.

The city’s operating expenses in 2025 were approximately $86.16 million, with more than $24 million going towards transportation.

The council unanimously approved the annual report after the public meeting concluded.

To read the full annual report, see below.