The Prince Albert Budget Committee begins deliberations Wednesday at 8 a.m., launching three full days of line-by-line review on the proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets.
The draft plan includes an estimated increase of about $4.42 million funded through property taxes to balance the year’s spending.
Mayor Bill Powalinsky said the discussions will focus on maintaining essential services while keeping the overall impact on households as manageable as possible. He said Council is entering the process with a clear focus on balancing needs against rising costs.
“It is about balancing what services we need to provide and doing it in the most effective manner,” Powalinsky said.
He noted that residents may see a shift in how services are delivered this year, depending on the outcome of the deliberations.
“We want to bring home what we can do and very carefully look at how much money we are going to need to do that with.”
Wage costs, inflation, emergency services, and equipment tariffs are among the largest pressures affecting the budget. Powalinsky said mission-critical areas such as police, fire, and frontline staff make up a significant portion of the city’s annual expenses. He also pointed to rising equipment costs, including tariffs of up to 25 percent on heavy machinery purchased from the United States.
“We are doing the best we can with what we have,” he said. “Those expenses alone, and the cost of inflation and tariffs, are really going to be considered.”
Administration has identified $2.1 million in spending cuts following an internal review earlier this year. Powalinsky said Council will still look for additional options where possible, including delaying equipment replacement or reassessing timing on major purchases.
“It is going to take a lot of brainpower to get through this,” he said.
Ward 2 Coun. Troy Parenteau said fiscal prudence remains the top concern for residents he has spoken with ahead of this week’s meetings.
He noted that 3.5 million dollars of the projected tax-supported increase comes from wage costs and the needed rehabilitation of the 6th Avenue Viaduct, which received inspection results showing repairs are required.
Parenteau said it is still too early to know whether more cuts will be needed. He expects those decisions to play out in the chamber once councillors begin working through the details.
“Over the last couple of years, even though the budget has gone up, the city has found quite a few efficiencies,” he said.
The Budget Committee will meet Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Residents cannot take part in the deliberations but can follow the proceedings online through the city”s livestream.
