MeetingsMon, Mar 23, 20263h 11mCouncil2022–2026 Council
Committee of the Whole
Summary
- Approved recommending Council adopt the 2026–2030 five‑year financial plan, incorporating this meeting's budget changes (Financial Plan).
- Directed staff to reduce internal capital payment by $800,000; Guiry, Harder and Szpak opposed (Budget).
- Directed staff to cancel the city's Urban Development Institute membership and remove its fee budget; Goodmanson opposed (Budget).
- Directed staff to increase First Nation relations funding to $100,000, adding $50,000 from surplus (Budget).
- Directed staff to investigate alternate reserve funding for the Bear Mountain Parkway temporary power issue (Bear Mountain Parkway).
Decisions
What council voted on, in agenda order.
Directed staff to reduce Council Travel and Training budget by $30,000 in 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Vote 7–0Moved by Goodmanson, seconded by WagnerRejected reducing most budget items to achieve a 9% property tax increase target for 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
DefeatedVote 2–5Opposed: Goodmanson, Guiry, Harder, Szpak, WagnerMoved by Yacucha, seconded by MorleyDirected staff to reduce internal capital payments by $800,000 in 2026 and adjust 2027–2030 accordingly.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Vote 4–3Opposed: Guiry, Harder, SzpakMoved by Wagner, seconded by MorleyDirected staff to reduce Utilities - Water/Irrigation budget by $100,000 in 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Vote 7–0Moved by Guiry, seconded by WagnerRejected reducing the Greening the Downtown Core budget by $15,000 in 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
DefeatedVote 3–4Opposed: Guiry, Harder, Morley, SzpakMoved by Wagner, seconded by YacuchaDirected staff to reduce the Holiday Decorations budget by $25,000 in 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Vote 7–0Moved by Guiry, seconded by HarderRejected reducing the City Staff Cleaning budget by $25,000 in 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
DefeatedVote 3–4Opposed: Goodmanson, Guiry, Harder, SzpakMoved by Wagner, seconded by MorleyDirected staff to reduce City Centre Park small equipment and repairs budget by $25,000 in 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Vote 4–3Opposed: Guiry, Yacucha, SzpakMoved by Wagner, seconded by GuiryDirected staff to reduce Fire POC shift and communications equipment budget by $30,000 in 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Vote 4–3Opposed: Goodmanson, Guiry, SzpakMoved by Yacucha, seconded by WagnerDirected staff to add $44,400 toward the Municipal Leaders Advisory Team Coordinator in 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Moved by Guiry, seconded by HarderDirected staff to investigate using reserves to fund Bear Mountain Parkway temporary power.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Vote 7–0Moved by Yacucha, seconded by WagnerRejected deferring Westshore Parkway Trail to 2027.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
DefeatedVote 1–6Opposed: Goodmanson, Guiry, Morley, Szpak, Wagner, YacuchaMoved by Harder, seconded by GuiryRejected reducing Westhills Arena small equipment and repairs budget by $25,000 in 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
DefeatedVote 3–4Opposed: Harder, Guiry, Yacucha, SzpakMoved by Wagner, seconded by GuiryIncreased the First Nations relations budget to $100,000, funding $50,000 from 2026 surplus.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Vote 7–0Moved by Guiry, seconded by WagnerCancelled the city's Urban Development Institute membership and removed its membership fee.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Vote 6–1Opposed: GoodmansonMoved by Wagner, seconded by SzpakRejected reducing the council contingency by $44,400 in 2026.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
DefeatedVote 2–5Opposed: Morley, Harder, Guiry, Yacucha, SzpakMoved by Goodmanson, seconded by WagnerApproved the Proposed 2026–2030 financial plan as amended by Committee motions.
5.1 · 5.1 2026 Budget Reports
Vote 7–0Moved by Guiry, seconded by Harder
Agenda
7 items · select one for details, debate and documents
Summary
The Chair reconvened the March 17, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Summary
Council received the City's territorial acknowledgement read by a Councillor.
Summary
As this was a continuation meeting, Meeting Conduct Rules were not re-presented.
Summary
Agenda approval was not carried out since this was a continuation meeting.
Summary
General reports section; main substantive report below is the Proposed 2026-2030 Five-Year Financial Plan.
Summary
Deliberation on the Proposed 2026-2030 Five-Year Financial Plan including specific line-item adjustments and recommendations to Council.
Debate
Debate focused on balancing tax impacts (targeting 9%, 11% and other reduction scenarios) vs. long-term fiscal responsibilities (repaying internal borrowing). Major areas of contention included internal capital payments (debt repayment), utilities/irrigation reductions, recreation and parks repairs and maintenance, Westhills Arena funding, and targeted one-time investments (e.g., Municipal Leaders Advisory Team Coordinator, First Nations relations). Some councillors prioritized short-term tax relief and trial reductions; others warned of eroding long-term asset management and safety-related services (fire/training).
Motions (21)
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce the budget for item City Centre Park - Small Equipment and Repairs and Maintenance by $25,000 in 2026.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce the Council Contingency by $44,400 in 2026.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to investigate alternate funding from reserves to fund Bear Mountain Parkway Temporary Power Issue for Council's consideration.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce the budget for item Utilities - Water/Irrigation by $100,000 in 2026.
THAT the Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to cancel the City's Urban Development Institute (UDI) membership, and remove the budget for UDI membership fees from the five-year financial plan.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council increase the budget item First Nation Relations to $100,000, that the additional $50,000 be funded from surplus in 2026, and budgets for the remainder of the 5-year financial plan would be $100,000.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce the budget for item Internal Capital Payment for Capital Previously Purchased by $800,000 in 2026 and adjust years 2027 - 2030 according to the 11% and 9% reduction options seen in the March 17, 2026 Breakdown of Internal Debt Staff Report.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce the budget for item Fire - POC Shift Reduction & Communications Center Equipment by $30,000 in 2026.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce the budget for item Greening the Downtown Core by $15,000 in 2026.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce the budget for item Westhills Arena - Small Equipment and Repairs and Maintenance by $25,000 in 2026.
THAT Committee of the Whole at 9:56 pm extend the meeting until 10:10 pm.
THAT Committee of the Whole at 9:55 pm extend the meeting until 10:30 pm.
THAT Committee of the Whole adjourn the meeting.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce the budget for item Holiday Decorations by $25,000 in 2026.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to add funding for a portion of the Municipal Leaders Advisory Team Coordinator position to the budget in the amount of $20,000 for 2026. AMENDMENT: THAT the main motion be amended by removing "$20,000" and replacing with "$44,400".
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council approve the Proposed 2026-2030 5-year Financial Plan as presented, factoring in the resolutions from the March 17th and March 23rd, Committee of the Whole meetings.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce the budget for Council Travel and Training by $30,000 in 2026.
THAT Committee of the Whole at 9:57 pm extend the meeting until 10:15 pm.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce all budget items except items Transfer from Capital Works to Cover Debt Servicing, City Hall Staffing, Non-Property Tax Revenues, Staff Travel and Training, Wayfinding - Strategy and Signage, Garbage Can Retrofit, Royal Roads Innovation Studio, E-bike Program and Council Travel and Training to the reduction scenario required to achieve 9% property tax increase for 2026. To set this as a primary baseline for deliberation.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to reduce the budget for item City Staff Cleaning by $25,000 in 2026.
THAT Committee of the Whole recommend that Council direct staff to defer item PD37 - Westshore Parkway Trail, to 2027.
Summary
The Committee adjourned the meeting at 10:13 pm.
Motions (1)
THAT Committee of the Whole adjourn the meeting.