Town of Peace River Council Approves 2026 Budget
Peace River, Alberta – The Town of Peace River Council has officially approved the 2026 municipal budget, continuing to focus on responsible fiscal management while advancing key priorities and maintaining a high quality of services.
“We’re proud of the balance we’ve struck in this budget,” said Mayor Shelly Shannon. “We’ve kept a close eye on costs while also increasing our efforts to promote Peace River, support local businesses, and make sure people see the value of living and investing here.”
“This budget reflects a disciplined approach to both operations and long-term planning,” said Chief Administrative Officer Barbara Miller. “It shows the work we’ve done to manage financial pressures carefully while continuing to deliver the services residents rely on.”
The approved 2026 budget includes a 2.5-per-cent municipal tax requisition increase. This follows several years of measured increases, including 1.6 per cent in 2025, 3 per cent in 2024, and 4 per cent in 2023, reflecting the Town’s ongoing effort to balance cost pressures with taxpayer impact.
Utility rates include a 5-per-cent increase on average for both water and wastewater services, supporting the continued move toward full cost recovery and ensuring these services remain sustainable over time. Thanks to the transition of recycling services from contracted services to a provincially funded program, the Town also saw an annual savings of $30 per residential household in solid waste fees.
Completing internal audits, finding unique savings opportunities, and closing the loop on outstanding work over the last few years has contributed greatly to the strong financial position the Town finds itself in today.
The Town projects to have accumulated reserves of $12.5 million for the tax-supported budget and $5.9 million for the utility-supported budget as of Dec. 31, 2026. This enables the Town to respond to changing circumstances, such as the higher-than-normal snow removal costs this winter, and positions Peace River well for long-term infrastructure planning and replacement.
2026 Budget Details
- Tax Supported Budget: $29,705,026
- Utility Supported Budget: $8,923,800
- Municipal Requisition Increase: 2.5%
- Water Rates: 5% increase on average
- Wastewater Rates: 5% increase on average
- Solid Waste Rates: 9% decrease
2026 Capital Budget
The 2026 Capital Budget includes both new and ongoing investments in infrastructure and community assets. Total capital funding for the year is $17,450,400, including $5,569,000 in new funding and $12,081,400 carried over from 2025.
Major projects with new 2026 funding include:
- Peace Regional Pool: $850,000 for facility upgrades, including the slide and mezzanine
- Wayfinding Plan: $200,000 for continuation of the signage project
- New Engine for Fire Department: $600,000
- Sidewalk by Glenmary: $250,000
- 2026 Paving and Overlay: $1.3 million
Key projects continuing from 2025 include:
- Town Hall Renovations: $1.25 million
- Pats Creek Instrumentation and Dam Control: $906,400
- 101 Street Reconstruction: $1.1 million
- 90 Street Stormwater and Culvert Repair: $670,000
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades: $3 million
For more information on the 2026 budget, visit peaceriver.ca
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Media contact:
Stewart Burnett, Communications Coordinator
780-617-4845
communications@peaceriver.ca
