The City of Summerside has released its 2026-27 municipal budget, prioritizing public safety with a total investment of $6.28 million directed toward emergency services. The plan, which was unveiled on March 12, 2026, includes $5.5 million to begin construction on a new fire station and additional funding to increase the number of police officers, all while maintaining a balanced budget with no property tax increases.
The $5.5 million allocation for the Summerside Fire Department covers the first phase of a project estimated to cost between $11 million and $11.5 million. The new facility will be located on Central Street near Leger Park and will replace the existing Station 1 on Foundry Street, which has been in service since 1962. Once construction begins this year, the project is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete. The new station is designed to improve operations and safety, featuring a four-truck bay, a decontamination area, a fitness facility, and improved training spaces.
Regarding law enforcement, the Summerside Police Services will receive a $400,000 budget increase. This funding includes $300,000 for salaries to support the hiring of one additional officer, with the goal of reaching a total of 39 sworn officers by April 2027. Mayor Dan Kutcher stated that the increase is a response to rising petty crime, with the aim of having more officers visible in the community to conduct street walks.
In addition to these major projects, the city has set aside $478,600 for equipment upgrades for both fire and police crews. These safety investments are part of a broader $26.7 million in total capital spending for the 2026-27 year. The municipal budget projects total revenues and expenses of $82.8 million.
