A tentative 2026 budget was proposed in the Bear Pit. In its operating section, it largely stuck to the “status quo,” according to staffers, who discussed their departments’ needs.
A one per cent increase to the Northern Rockies’ tax rate is expected if the 2026 draft budget is approved by its regional municipal council. The rate will increase from the six per cent tax levied in 2025.
The proposed tax rate for these property owners will see municipal property tax bills increase by less than $2 for every $100,000 their home was assessed at and is the result of non-residential assessment values in and around Fort Nelson decreasing.
“There is an overall decrease in industry’s assessment of $118.8 million or 8.18 per cent,” according to a report on the draft budget. “Major industry reduced by $3.3 million or 1.3 per cent and light industry reduced by $139.5 million or 17 per cent.”
Some of the impact of those decreases was negated by the almost $24 million increase in the worth of utilities. Assessed values of lines that are no longer in service tend to decrease, and some of those properties in Fort Nelson halted work last year, staff explained during the days-long budget deliberations.
Residential dwellings’ increased value, from the B.C. Assessment’s report, will take on some of the load from devalued industrial properties.
“Although the value of residential assessment is almost 20 per cent of the total taxable assessment, the residential class will pay 7.2 per cent of the tax levy,” explained the report. Industry will carry one per cent less than the 85.1 per cent it did last year.
Operating expenses are expected to increase by $600,000 if all the proposed projects are approved. Items on the chopping block include upgrades to the new Fire Hall for the local fire rescue team, as well as additional preparation for the wildfire season.
“Equipment, materials, and supplies have increased. To purchase required wildland and suppression PPE for the firefighters,” said James Childs, the fire chief for the Northern Rockies.
Demand for their services was said to have increased this year by the chief, who feels the additional funding will ensure there is a “well-resourced and ready fire rescue service.”
Regional development and planning services requested two per cent more than it did in 2025, which increased its budget by approximately $39,000. Their plans for 2026, if approved, include the downtown revitalization program and finalizing details for a dog park.
Expenses for general government also increased by around $228,000, or five per cent, as a municipal election will take place. The funds will also cover a document digitization project, which will see important municipal paperwork being scanned. Previous wildfire evacuations saw staff having trouble managing boxes of documents.
Wage, salary, and benefit increases for municipal staff, including the local firefighters, are also included in the operating budget.
Feedback on this budget, as well as the proposed capital budget and projects, will be welcomed by the Bear Pit in the coming weeks, ahead of the May deadline for submitting the taxation rate to the province. A formal date was not set at this week’s meetings, but the council is considering hosting an in-person budget consultation meeting in March or April.
