White Rock debates how to balance the 2026 budget as council weighs tax hikes, service cuts, and the rising cost of living.
White Rock’s Budget Balancing Act Begins
White Rock City Council is facing some big financial decisions as it begins work on the 2026 municipal budget. At its November 3 meeting, council members heard that, under current planning, property taxes could rise by more than six percent next year a figure that raised eyebrows around the table.
Financial services director Candice Gartry explained that much of the increase comes from expected costs, such as RCMP contracts and inflation. While those are unavoidable, council is exploring whether there’s any room to ease the pressure on residents.
Council Aims for a Target But Which One?
When Chief Administrative Officer Guillermo Ferrero asked for a direction on what kind of tax increase council could support, Coun. Elaine Cheung proposed targeting a 5.41% hike. That figure, she noted, continues the financial plan already in place from last year.
However, Coun. Christopher Trevelyan wasn’t convinced. He pushed to explore what holding the increase to 2.5% roughly the current rate of inflation would mean for city services.
“Why are we tripling the rate of inflation when there are no major projects on the books?” Trevelyan asked, suggesting it was worth running the numbers to see what a leaner budget might look like.
Finding the Line Between Cuts and Costs
Ferrero warned that dropping the increase to 2.5% would mean cutting $1.3 million from the city’s budget and that wouldn’t come without consequences.
“There’s no way to cut that much without cutting people,” Ferrero said. “This isn’t just about numbers it’s about the human impact across our organization.”
Still, others saw the issue differently. Coun. Anthony Manning reminded council that tax hikes also hit residents hard, especially seniors on fixed incomes. “There’s a human cost to tax increases, too,” he said. “It’s about finding the right balance.”
A Call for Clarity and Transparency
In the end, Cheung agreed to include Trevelyan’s suggestion to examine both scenarios one with a 5.41% increase and another with 2.5%. The goal, council agreed, is transparency: to show residents exactly what trade-offs each option would mean.
“This is the start of the process,” Trevelyan said. “We may not end up at 2.5%, but we owe it to the public to show why we land wherever we do.”
Gartry confirmed that staff will present detailed budget figures and recommendations at the December 15 meeting, where council will decide which path to take for the 2026 budget.
A History of Financial Excellence
Despite the challenges ahead, White Rock’s finance team continues to earn recognition. The city has received the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award four years running a nod to its strong commitment to financial transparency and planning.
As council prepares for tough decisions, one thing is clear: balancing fairness, services, and fiscal responsibility will be no easy task in 2026.
Stay updated instantly — follow us on Instagram | Facebook | X
Leave a comment