By TERRY PUGH
Homeowners and businesses in Warman will have to dig a little deeper into their wallets in the coming year.
Warman City Council adopted the city’s 2026 capital and operating budget at a meeting on Monday, December 15. The budget includes a 3.55% increase in revenue generated from the municipal portion of property taxes.
The projected increase does not include the education portion of property taxes, which is collected by the city on behalf of the province. The municipal portion accounts for 67% of the property tax bill, while the education portion is 33%.
While the 3.55% increase in municipal property tax revenue is significant, it is less than the 3.98% hike in 2025 and 5% in 2024.
The 3.55% increase in municpal tax revenue translates into an additional $101.04 per year, or $8.42 per month, for an average residential home in Warman with an assessed value of $375,000, according to figures provided by the city’s finance deparmtent.
The 3.55% increase in tax revenue includes an annual recreation levy of $150 per property. The recreation levy was introduced in the 2024 city budget and is tied directly to funding recreational facilities.
Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk said the the budget is a balancing act. The city is facing higher expenses, and the increase in property tax revenue is needed in order to maintain and improve civic services, amenties and infrastructure.
“As inflationary costs continue to rise in the city’s operations, Council and Administration were determined to minimize the impact on taxpayers,” said Philipchuk. “Inflation continues to affect all our lives. We feel that this budget is a testament to the dedication we have for our residents while ensuring the continuance of quality servcices and programs in our community.”
Overall operating expenses in the 2026 budget are expected to be $24,070,456, compared to $21,147,578 in 2025.
The city’s projected revenue for 2026 is $31,598,128; up from $29,266,120 in the 2025 budget.
The operating surplus of $7,527,672 projected in the 2026 operating budget will be largely transferred to various reserves to ensure funds are available for future infrastructure and equipment.
The city is earmarking $8.745 million in capital investment in 2026, with the largest project being the new Warman Public Works shop on Industrial Drive in the city’s south end.
The city is allocating $3.531 million in funding to the much-needed public works building in 2026, with funding coming from an existing capital reserve. The building construction contract in the amount of $4,575,060 was awarded last month to ConTech General Contractors. The total cost of the project, including the cost of land and servicing, is about $7 million.
The city is earmarking $300,000 in the 2026 capital budget toward a reserve fund for future expansion of Warman City Hall, with an additional $1.2 million allocated in the 2027 capital plan and another $2.5 million in the 2028 capital plan.
An additional $100,000 will go into that reserve to pay for upgrades to the computer server at City Hall, as well as $250,000 toward the city’s ‘Enterprise Resource Planning’ software system.
The city is allocating $150,000 in the 2026 capital budget to prepare preliminary architectural drawings of an expansion to the current RCMP facility. This project will be covered using funds from the RCMP building reserve , which will have a projected 2026 end balance of $1.86 milliion after this expense is applied.
Other capital expenses in the 2026 budget include:
* $1 million for the design and construction of Lift Station 1 to replace an existing, undersized facility;
* $400,000 for upgrades to the Warman Home Centre Communiplex; specifically the installation of netting, spectator seating, lighting controls and entrance paving stones;
* $830,000 to replace Warman Fire Rescue Engine #12;
* $350,000 for replacement of Warman Fire Rescue tactical rescue truck #13;
* $140,000 for replacement of Warman Fire Rescue Command 16 truck;
* $225,000 for a new gravel truck for the Warman Public Works department.
The city’s ten-year capital plan ensures infrastructure and equipment is continually upgraded and replaced to accommodate expected growth and to avoid unexpected expenses in future years.
While the budget passed at the December 15 meeting sets the overall amount of revenue required from municipal property taxes, the actual amount of tax that indivdual property owners will pay is determined by the mill rate and the assessed value of the property. The city’s mill rate is set by council in the spring, after the provincial budget is tabled and the provincial education mill rate is set.