Proposed 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets Available for Public Review

Yorkton, SK – The City of Yorkton has released its proposed 2026 budget, which includes an increase in total taxation revenue of $1,182,000 (or 3.85%).

The proposed budget includes the City’s plan to invest in city assets and infrastructure improvements, while continuing to provide the same levels of services as the prior year. Key items affecting all departments include cost increases related to inflation with the average CPI index being 2.4% and ever rising construction costs.

“The proposed 2026 budget is about moving Yorkton forward in a responsible way. It balances affordability for residents with the need to invest in our city’s infrastructure, so we can continue delivering the services people expect today while preparing for tomorrow,” said Mayor Aaron Kienle.

The breakdown of the proposed 3.85% increase is:

• Capital – 1.10%
• Operations – 2.75%

This represents an increase of roughly $7.60 per month for property tax for the average homeowner, or roughly twice that for an equally valued commercial property.

With regards to the water utility, this budget includes the previously approved 4% increase to water rates as well as the $5 per month increase to the residential water base charge. Residents will see a total increase of approximately $6.95 per month towards their utility bills. This increase allows the City to manage its aging underground infrastructure and support the growing demands on our water and sewer systems.

Operating Budget Highlights (2.75%)

The proposed budget covers the same service delivery to residents and business as in the prior years. The primary driver of the operating budget increase is general inflation. As inflation sits around 2.4% or higher, this affects all the goods and services the City requires to operate. Power, energy, fuel prices, insurance, wages and benefits, etc. are all key items included.

To offset inflationary items the City looked for cost savings where possible, trimming operating line items, as well as increasing user fees across many recreational programs.

While service levels are mostly the same from the prior years, there are some areas of an increase in budget spending for:

• Public Works – we have increased the budget for road resurfacing, sidewalk, and curb maintenance to update the conditions of our road network
• Environmental Services – we have increased the budget for water and sewer main replacements to keep pace with deteriorating infrastructure

The City has also reduced service level to the Transit division in order to control costs and manage underutilized times. From this analysis, morning hours have been reduced along with removing scheduled bus service on Saturdays. Access Transit services will not be affected by these changes.

Capital Budget Projects (1.10%)

The Capital Budget includes a 1.10% increase to taxes, or roughly an addition of $337,000. This brings the annual capital budget total to $6,062,000 for 2026. Since this is a two year capital budget, there is a 1% (minimum) increase for 2027 for the capital budget as well.

Some large 2026 capital projects include: culvert and storm sewer replacements on York Road West and East, Landfill Road timber bridge repairs, downtown street light pole replacements, a new fire truck, various equipment upgrades to the Gallagher Centre including an arena chiller, HVAC, Ag Pavilion retrofit, the Kinsmen Arena metal roof restoration, paving of Weinmaster pathway, Access Transit bus replacement, various outdoor basketball courts, sanitary sewer condition assessments and additional road resurfacing and sidewalk repair.

Projects proposed in the 2027 budget include: additional irrigation and equipment for Deer Park, the construction of the North Development Transmission Water Main Loop, ice floor covering system for Gallagher Centre, a new spray park at Tupper Ave Park, Godfrey Dean Centre roof replacement and an additional $1 million for more curb, sidewalk and road replacements and resurfacing.

Where to Find Budget Details and Share Comments

More information about the budget, including a detailed listing of capital projects can be found at www.yorkton.ca/budget.

The City encourages the public to review the budget and provide any comments or questions through the public review form available online, which will be open until January 20th. The results will be presented to City Council at the Regular Council Meeting on Monday, January 26, 2026.