Road work and Capital investments highlight 2026 Budget
Bathurst City Council approved the 2026 budget, valued at nearly $53.8 million dollars. Overall budget allocations are set at $40,7 million for General Operations, $8,8 million for Water and Sewer Operations. Capital investments will be set at $3,6 million for the General Fund and $750,000 for the Water and Sewer Fund. The implementation of the city’s 2025-27 Strategic Plan also plays a key role, laying the foundation for initiatives found in the budget exercise.
Property Tax
The Property Tax rate in Ward 1 (old city boundary before 2023 Local Governance Reform) will remain at the level set in the 2025 budget, at $1.7550 per $100 evaluation. The North Tetagouche sector of Ward 2 will have a $0.9676 rate (0.0612 increase), while the Ward 2 sectors covering South Tetagouche, Ste-Anne, Big River, and Route 134 (Miramichi Avenue extension) will have a $0.9590 rate (0.0790 increase). The changes to the Ward 2 tax rates are part of the transition under the provincial government’s Local Governance Reform, this being year four of a six-year transition.
Roadway investments
Roadway resurfacing accounts for a $1.216 million-dollar investment, with three projects activated: $500,000 for the completion of Ryan Avenue, $225,000 for Daniel Drive, and $491,000 for the paving portion of the Miramichi Avenue Water / Sewer infrastructure rebuild, from Bridge Street to Mount Carmel Street.
Safe Community
$136,000 is dedicated for Police Force recruitment, allowing for enhanced services, namely in the downtown core and through community relations initiatives. $122,836 is invested to implement a fire prevention strategy and $60,000 to launch a volunteer firefighter recruitment campaign. $45,000 is also dedicated for mental health support to the City’s emergency staff and volunteers.
Economic Growth and Diversification
$100,000 is dedicated to adopt an Economic Development Plan. $859,667 is also invested to complete the Housing Accelerator Fund initiative.
Integrated Mobility
$221,602 is invested to support the launch of public transit services through the Chaleur Regional Service Commission. A financial guarantee of $260,543 to support Airport Services is also dedicated, if required.
Healthy Community
$75,000 is invested to renew the Master Plan for Coronation Park, part of the Recreation Master Plan.
Water and Sewer Services
To ensure the renewal of critical aging Water and Sewer Infrastructure over the next decade, Council approved the implementation of a Utility Capital Investment Strategy. A 2.5% operational increase and a 2.5% capital investment increase for a total of 5% per year, for the next five years. This is to establish system sustainability, allowing staff to sufficiently allocate money for operations and maintenance, maintain or improve water quality, and rebuild local distribution and collection systems.
Watershed Protection
The following items are integrated to ensure safe drinking water source for our residents and customers:
| Unidirectional Line Flushing | $30,000 |
| Valve Replacement Program | $5,000 |
| Clear well isolation valves | $30,000 |
| Water Treatment Plant Intake Gallery rebuild | $520,000 |
| Documentation and standardization of Watershed Testing Program (new standardized procedures) | $5,000 |
| Carter’s brook diversion, nutriment mitigation | $30,000 |
| Algae control: reservoir dredging pre-project | $10,000 |
| TOTAL | $630,000 |
City Capital Investments
Notable Capital investments include:
| Roussel O’Neil Complex Renovations | $1,200,000 |
| Storage Appliance for police station | $45,000 |
| 1 Unmarked police vehicle | $65,000 |
| 1 Marked police vehicle with equipment | $90,000 |
| 1 Fire Service Truck | $90,000 |
| Lighting Controller K.C. Irving Center | $120,000 |
| Munter Wheel Replacement - K.C. I. | $44,822 |
| Waterfront - Roofing | $50,000 |
| Aquatic Centre - Roofing | $400,000 |
| Sidewalk Tractor & Sidewalk Salt Trailer | $230,000 |
| ½ ton Truck - Operations: | $65,000 |
| Arc Flash Upgrades – Wastewater Treatment Plant | $125,000 |
| Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Replacement | $40,000 |
| Sewer Lift Station Backup Pump | $65,000 |
| TOTAL | $2,629,822 |