High Level Town Council has approved a 2026 budget that includes a 3.8 percent cut in municipal property taxes, putting money back in the pockets of local homeowners while keeping core services intact.
The budget, approved on May 11, 2026, means an average residential property assessed at $500,000 will see about $212 in annual savings, or roughly $18 a month. Council found roughly $1.09 million in savings compared to 2025 by going through spending line by line, leading to a 5.9 percent drop in total expenditures.
Mayor Josh Lambert, who was born and raised in High Level and took office in October 2025, said the budget reflects a commitment to affordability and accountability. The town’s first-ever Budget Book, released in 2025, helped set the stage for greater financial transparency.
Despite the tax reduction, the operating budget projects $19.4 million in revenue against $17.4 million in spending, with about $2.05 million set aside for reserves. Utility rates and user fees are frozen at 2025 levels. The capital budget outlines $13.32 million for 26 projects, paid for through reserves, borrowing, and grants. Key projects include renewing the 100 Avenue downtown corridor, buying a new fire department pumper, and reinvesting in recreation facilities.
One area that helped unlock savings was the planning and development division, which trimmed its consultancy and professional services budget from $1.5 million in 2025 to $450,000 in 2026. The town only spent about $600,000 of the 2025 budgeted amount, making the new figure more realistic.
The 2026 budget aligns with council’s long-term financial plan, which looks ahead five to ten years and prioritizes keeping reserves healthy for future infrastructure needs. Deputy Mayor Mark Liboiron and councillors Brielle Mercredi, Belinda Forest, and Nickoi Breierle were part of the vote, with two councillor seats vacant as of April 2026. The town’s Chief Administrative Officer, Viv Thoss, helped steer the budget process, drawing on years of local government experience.
