(Image Credit: file photo/meadowlakeNOW)

By Kenneth Cheung

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Meadow Lake council approves 1% tax increase plan for 2026 budget

Jan 30, 2026 | 4:12 PM

Property owners in Meadow Lake could see a modest tax increase in 2026 after city council approved a budget strategy that keeps city operations and major projects on track.

Council has directed administration to proceed with a one per cent increase as the basis for the 2026 budget, a move that allows the city to adopt its operating and capital budgets now, even though final property assessment numbers are not yet available.

City administration said the decision is largely about timing and legal requirements.

Under The Cities Act, municipalities must approve a balanced budget before they can continue operations or move forward with capital work. However, the province does not release updated property assessments until the spring, making it impossible for the city to calculate exact tax rates at this stage.

To bridge that gap, council was asked to choose from several taxation scenarios. It opted for the recommended option – a one per cent increase – which is projected to generate a $123,509 surplus that will be used to rebuild city reserves that were heavily drawn down in 2025. 

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Administration said the decision means the city can function normally while awaiting assessment data from the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA) and department heads can now begin tendering large projects that were approved for 2026. 

The increase is expected to raise the city’s mill rate from 8.095 to 8.176, though the final tax impact on individual property owners will not be known until assessment values are received, likely in February or March.

Once those numbers arrive, administration will calculate the final mill rate and bring a tax rate bylaw to council for formal approval.

Council also considered maintaining the current mill rate, but that option would have resulted in a projected $25,058 deficit, which is not permitted under provincial legislation.

Administration noted that choosing the one per cent increase now provides financial stability and helps replenish savings needed for unexpected costs in future years. 

Meadow Lake typically begins budget discussions in the fall and aims to pass its budget before the end of the year, though timing pressures pushed the 2026 process into January.

For residents, the decision means the city can maintain services and proceed with planned infrastructure work, while final tax details will be determined once property assessment values are received.

When property owners receive their tax bill, the municipal mill rate and the province’s education mill rate are included and additional assessments for things like libraries or special taxes are added on to make the final tally. They are generally due in June.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com