The Town of Sidney held a public open house on March 30, 2026, to share details on its 2026-2030 financial plan, following the approval of a 9.37 per cent property tax increase earlier this month. The meeting took place at the Mary Winspear Centre, where residents could learn more about how municipal funds are being used to support local services and infrastructure, as well as the potential future replacement of the town hall building.
Council passed the Town of Sidney budget on March 16, 2026, which includes a $32.8 million operating budget and a $12.5 million capital budget. For the average residential property in town, the tax hike amounts to an extra $176 per year, or about $15 per month. Additionally, residents will see increases in utility costs, with water, sewer, and garbage collection rates rising by an average of $9.16 per quarter.
The increase is the second consecutive year of higher-than-usual tax adjustments as the municipality returns to full funding levels after pandemic-era tax cuts. In 2020, the town reduced tax revenues by $576,000 while keeping spending levels steady to maintain local services. Officials say the current budget is working to address the backlog created during those years, as well as rising costs from construction inflation and provincial funding changes.
A significant portion of this year’s tax increase is linked to protective services. Improvements for RCMP and fire services account for 5.4 per cent of the total tax hike. Police dispatch costs alone represent 2.6 per cent of the increase, as the provincial government continues to download responsibilities related to emergency management, housing, and life safety to local municipalities.
While the final approved tax increase stands at 9.37 per cent, the initial draft of the financial plan had proposed a 12.4 per cent hike. Council members reduced the total by deferring several non-urgent capital projects. Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith has expressed confidence that the town will see a return to more moderate tax increases in future years.
The open house at the Mary Winspear Centre (2243 Beacon Avenue) took place from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with an official presentation starting at 1:15 PM.
