Pitt Meadows city council endorsed the city’s 2026 budget, with increases in property taxes and utilities that will total $318 per year for the average home.
That’s based on a residential property with an assessment of $1.18 million, and it’s an increase of 6.5 per cent from the 2025 budget. It includes an annual property tax increase of $181, and utility fees up by $137.
This does not include increases levies the city collects on behalf of other government bodies, such as the education levy, for the Metro Vancouver Regional District, BC Assessment Authority, TransLink and the Municipal Finance Authority.
“We worked diligently to endorse a responsible budget that ensures residents are getting a cost effective and balanced budget that provides the same service levels as last year while being responsive to the main cost pressures,” said Mayor Nicole MacDonald. “The city’s 2026 budget will fund climate initiatives and recreational spaces that promote our community’s well-being while continuing to prioritize essential services like RCMP, fire and rescue services, and public utilities.”
She said at the meeting that she is proud of the city’s financial standing, with borrowing “tremendously low,” and reserves healthy, and called it a well-balanced budget.
The city’s property taxes and utility fees continue to be favourable compared to other municipalities in the region. In 2025, the Pitt Meadows was the lowest, and is projected to be similar in 2026.
“When we compare Pitt Meadows to other municipalities in the region, Pitt Meadows has the largest dedicated agricultural land reserve area than any other at 78 per cent,” says MacDonald. “Therefore, despite the fact that only 22 per cent of land in in the community can be densified to broaden the tax base, I’m proud to say that Pitt Meadows continues to provide some of the lowest average property taxes in the region.”
During the question and comment period, resident Heather Anderson noted other levels of government are trying to give taxpayers a break, including the federal government, as the cost of living increases and food insecurity is on the rise.
“Pitt Meadows residents are feeling the strain from the current economic climate, and everyday costs increasing at a rate higher than their incomes,” she told council, adding that she hopes council would minimize the burden on taxpayers.
Council’s decision packages saw them approve new expenditures including:
• $601,000 over 10 years to implement the climate action strategy
• $75,000 for a fire services master plan
• $65,000 for a three-year housing action plan
• $50,000 for Urban Forest Strategy implementation
• $11,800 for corporate videos
• $5,500 for a city-supported blueberry festival
• Council deferred spending $125,000 for public art at the RCMP detachment.
For a breakdown of the property tax and utility fees increase, visit pittmeadow.ca/budget-2026.
“The 2026 budget prioritizes the city’s key strategic priorities regarding public safety and essential services, while ensuring we are meeting our asset replacement savings targets for future infrastructure needs including roads, buildings, pump stations and more,” said chief financial officer Laura Barroetavena. “While some costs related to service partners and inflation cannot be controlled by the city, staff and council have worked hard to revise the budget from its first iteration by approximately $700,000 to arrive at this approved budget that minimizes the financial impact to taxpayers while maintaining service levels in Pitt Meadows.”
The city’s total 2026 capital expenditures will be $21.1 million, with the majority of the program funding coming from reserve savings and supplemented by grant funding. Some of the significant projects planned include:
• Pitt Meadows Athletic Park double artificial turf
• Pitt Meadows Athletic Park covered multi-sports box
• Kennedy Pump Station replacement
• Water main replacements
• Fraser Dike Road extension, new multi-use path, and dike upgrade
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system replacement readiness and procurement planning.
Council approved the budget, and directed staff to prepare a 2026-2030 financial plan bylaw, and a utility fees bylaw, based on the Dec. 9 decisions.