City of Castlegar 2026 Budget Process
By City of Castlegar
2026 Budget Process
The City of Castlegar has officially launched its 2026 budget process. This is a vital step in planning how public funds will be allocated to support essential services, infrastructure, and community programs and ensuring the City’s priorities align with community needs.
How the Budget Process Works
The City’s annual budget process includes the following steps:
Community Group Presentations
On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 5 p.m., community groups that help advance Council’s strategic priorities will present their annual updates and share any requests for the 2026 draft budget. These presentations help Council better understand the role local organizations play in supporting arts, culture, heritage, and quality of life in Castlegar.
Public Input – Have your say!
Your feedback helps shape and inform the City’s annual budget. Residents are encouraged to share ideas, priorities, and suggestions related to the budget by emailing budget@castlegar.ca before 3 p.m. on December 12. Council will review all community input during the Regular Council Meeting on December 17, at 7 p.m.
Draft Financial Plan Development
Following the community group presentations and public input, the City’s Finance Team prepares a draft financial plan and presents it to the Council for deliberation, and the draft financial plan will be available for the public to view on February 26, 2026, at castlegar.ca/budget.
The draft budget will be deliberated during two Special Council Meetings on March 3 and March 5, 2026, at 5 p.m. These meetings allow Council to refine priorities, ensure fiscal responsibility, and finalize the plan before it is formally adopted.
As part of this step, the City hosts an open house to provide residents with an opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the proposed budget, and share their feedback. This is scheduled for March 19, 2026.
Financial Plan Bylaw Adoption
Once Council has completed its deliberations, a draft 2026-2030 Financial Plan Bylaw will be presented as the final step in formalizing the City’s 2026 budget. The first three readings of the Financial Plan Bylaw are scheduled for March 23, 2026, with Final Plan Adoption set for April 7, 2026.
The City is committed to an inclusive and transparent budget process. All budget meetings are open to the public, and the public is encouraged to attend. By attending meetings in person or online and sharing feedback, residents can help shape the City’s financial decisions that impact the community. Visit castlegar.ca/events to view meeting dates and find links to join online.
To learn more about the 2026 budget process and key dates and times, visit castlegar.ca/budget.
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