You can expect to see a 4.34 per cent tentative tax increase in 2026 after Grande Prairie City Council wrapped up budget deliberations a day early.
The 4.34 per cent increase works out to about $12 per household per month, and is nearly 4 per cent lower than what council started with.
Chief Financial Officer Danielle Whiteway said about 1.92 percentage points of the 4.34 per cent comes from funding the Grande Prairie Police Service. “For GPPS alone, they have a required tax increase for 2026, was 1.92 per cent after council’s decision to help use reserves, to help soothe that impact.”
Mayor Jackie Clayton said raising taxes isn’t ideal, but inflation affects more than just households. “As you know, every single thing costs more every single day, recognizing that while trying to keep things affordable, while enhancing services, and providing benefits to our taxpayers is an ultimate goal.”
Major items passed during the two-day discussion included $28.5 million for roads and infrastructure, including two six-figure projects moved up from 2027 to 2026. The city will also add funds to the snow-removal budget. The mayor said an extra residential snow-removal crew will run Route A and Route B, potentially clearing snow in residential areas a day sooner; cul-de-sacs will also see accumulated snow removed.
The final budget is expected to be ratified on Dec. 8.
