Portage Council proposes 3.21% tax increase in 2026 budget – PortageOnline.com

Portage la Prairie City Council has unveiled its proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets, showing a tentative tax increase of 3.21 per cent for homeowners, which translates into a $72 increase for a home with an assessed value of $250,000. The plan maintains current service levels, invests in infrastructure, and funds several priority projects across the city. The total general fund operating expenditures are $25.2 million, with the utility operating budget totalling $19.4 million. On the capital side, the general fund capital budget totals $6.4 million, and the utility capital budget totals $106.9 million.

Council reviewed the budgets during an open meeting Monday evening, discussing both general operations and utility expenditures in detail. The session allowed the public to watch the budget process unfold before a formal vote is held in two weeks.

“Tonight was just showing that all of council is engaged in the budget process,” notes councillor and Finance Chair Joe Masi. “Next council meeting, we’ll have our formal budget vote. Tonight, it’s all proposals at this point, nothing is final, but there were some significant things that council decided on tonight or that were proposed for our budget in 2026.”

Proposed tax increase

The proposed tax increase includes three new initiatives: an additional administrative clerk for the Community Safety Office (CSO), a seasonal employee to operate aquatic harvesters for Crescent Lake, and rental of equipment to haul vegetation from the lake for disposal.

“There are no cuts in service, which, in these times that we’re living in with costs and everything, it shows that we’re not cutting service, we maintain service levels,” adds Masi. “We’re continuing priorities for growth. Projects like our water treatment plant, parks, and our roads have received major investments. It really shows that we continue to invest in our growing community, and doing it all with a modest tax increase.”

The city’s assessment has increased by more than $3.3 million, reflecting continued growth in the community. Masi mentions this growth allows council to fund necessary projects without imposing a larger tax increase on residents.

“The reason we’re able to keep the tax increase modest is that we have reserves and we are able to partner with the province on projects, and we have managed our costs in a prudent manner while we continue to grow,” remarks Masi.

Major infrastructure investments

The general fund includes significant allocations for roads, public works, and building maintenance projects.

Engineering initiatives top the list, with Gladys Cook Way construction for $2 million, additional road renewals and overlays at $700,000, and a $250,000 land drainage study. The city also proposes $165,000 for a new West End welcome sign and $85,000 for a sidewalk rail crossing to safely connect West Park School.

Smaller projects, including $30,000 for pedestrian lights along 18th Street and $30,000 for minor close-out costs on Saskatchewan Avenue West, round out engineering expenditures. Overall, the general fund engineering department totals more than $3.4 million.

Public Works funding includes $480,000 for aquatic harvesters to maintain Crescent Lake, $320,000 for a replacement bucket truck, and $220,000 for a new loader. Playground equipment updates total $120,000, and multiple truck replacements add another $280,000, with a new cold storage facility budgeted at $100,000. Combined, Public Works expenditures reach more than $1.6 million.

City building maintenance is also a focus, with $311,900 proposed for repairs and upgrades across City Hall, RCMP and operations buildings, the library, McKenzie Knight Daycare, and the Glesby Centre. This includes $200,000 for City Hall’s south stairwell structural repair and $100,000 for flooring and lighting projects across facilities.

Utility fund priorities

The Utility Capital Fund addresses water and wastewater infrastructure, with the Water Treatment Plant receiving the largest single investment at $97.8 million for a major upgrade and expansion.

Additional projects include $500,000 for the McKay Reservoir generator, $240,000 for clay valve replacements, and $220,000 to upgrade GAC filter media. Safety and operational improvements add another $469,298, including tie-offs, ozone system parts, lime pumps, and backwash valve replacements.

Waterworks initiatives total $421,003, covering a new vacuum truck ($252,003), leak detection programs ($100,000), and water meter and level sensor upgrades. The Water Pollution Control Facility’s 2026 budget is $6.35 million, including $3.48 million for Phase 2 nutrient reduction upgrades, $2 million for UV disinfection replacement, and smaller projects for lift stations and biosolids removal.

Community Safety Office focus

The CSO program receives targeted funding for safety and operational efficiency.

“In our strategic plan, one of the big things we talked about is safety and people feeling safe,” continues Masi. “We just wanted to make sure they have the tools, such as the laptops and body cameras to make the program for safety officers even better. We have also secured a new office for them because they’re just very crowded. We’re going to be adding a clerk there. Once again, there are no tax implications as the money will be coming out of our reserves for the new space. Public safety continues to be a real focus of our council to make sure that we’re doing everything we can as a city to keep our citizens safe.”

Funding for the CSO includes $20,000 for a body camera system and $7,000 for in-car laptops to help officers access bylaws, reports, and records while on duty. These investments aim to enhance transparency, improve response times, and provide tools that support both officer safety and community confidence.

Transparency and open council process

This is only the second year council has reviewed the budget in an open session.

“Council decided, we’re going to do it in open council so you can see all the different deliberations of what’s needed for our city. In two weeks, there’ll be the formal speech, which will outline what it is ultimately we’ll vote on for the final budget,” says Masi.

The next regular council meeting will take place on February 9, starting at 6:00 p.m.