Charlottetown council approves $181M in spending for 2025-26

Charlottetown council approved both its capital and operational budgets for the coming fiscal year in a unanimous vote Monday.

Coun. Terry Bernard, interim chair of the standing committee on finance and administration, presented the 2025-26 budget during a noon council meeting.

The financial plan includes $70.3 million for capital spending — $60.7 million from the city and $9.6 million in partner funding — while more than $110 million is allocated for operating expenses, including water and sewer services.

The $181 million in total spending marks a 7.7 per cent increase from last year's $168-million, though the city is still forecasting a balanced budget.

WATCH | No property tax hike for Charlottetown residents, even as city ups its spending:

No property tax hike for Charlottetown residents, even as city ups its spending

2 days ago

Duration 2:08

The city is planning to spend about $181 million over the next year, including on big-ticket items like upgrades to multi-use facilities, but residents won’t see an increase in their property taxes. CBC’s Tony Davis takes us through Charlottetown’s capital and operating budgets.

Under the operating budget, the city's police and fire departments will receive $22.4 million, with the majority of that funding directed to Charlottetown Police Services.

Water and sewer utility rates will rise by 2.2 per cent to help maintain infrastructure and cover higher operational costs. The city said that translates to an increase of around $14.41 per year, or about four cents per day for the average household.

Property tax rates will remain unchanged.

Some other key investments include:

• Transit expansion: $2 million toward purchasing seven new transit buses and planning for four electric minibuses.
• Fire department upgrades: $3.2 million for the final design, site selection and pre-construction of a new fire station, as well as the purchase of a new fire engine. The city will also hire two additional platoon chiefs next year.
• Policing: Investment in capital equipment including technology to allow the force to keep pace with emerging crime trends. The capital budget allocates $640,000 to Charlottetown Police Services.
• Recreation and sports facilities: $6.87 million for a new artificial turf field, upgrades to Elmer J. MacFadyen Memorial Rink and Cody Banks Arena, and finishing work at the new Simmons Sports Centre.
• Eastlink Centre upgrades: $3 million for repairs, renovations and engineering design work.
• Bell Aliant Centre: $6.3 million for various repairs and the first phase of replacing refrigeration and dehumidification systems.
• Infrastructure and public spaces: $30 million for property maintenance, brownfield redevelopment, and repairs/upgrades to parkades, sidewalks, street surfaces, traffic lights and traffic signs.
• Water system improvements: $6.9 million for water distribution upgrades and wellfield protection.

"This budget presents a sound financial plan for our city, ensuring our residents have the services and programs they need and deserve while maintaining our strong financial position and keeping us on the path of sustained and strategic growth," Bernard said during the meeting.