Lloydminster council approved the 2026 budget Monday after a tense debate that centred on affordability, service levels and the addition of a new Intergovernmental Relations position.
The discussion began with a push from several councillors to lower the 4.08 per cent tax increase to something closer to three per cent. To do that, councillors examined what could realistically be cut or delayed.
Ideas ranged from postponing the playground at the Cenovus Hub to reducing trail paving and sidewalk repairs. Councillors also referenced scaling back arena upgrades, delaying recreation improvements and reviewing support for events such as Heritage Days and Streetfest. Some suggested revisiting funding for community groups including Border Paws, the Olive Tree, Border City Connects and FITFest.
Councillor David Lopez delivered the strongest affordability argument of the meeting. He warned that many residents are already stretched.
“There is only one taxpayer,” said Lopez. “People are becoming utility poor. If you live in an apartment you have a larger water line. You get hit harder.”
He also questioned whether council understood what an extra few dollars a month means to some families.
“Thirteen dollars a month is a jug of milk,” said Lopez. “Are we making people house poor?”
Councillor Michele Charles Gustafson added that residents are facing rising costs across the board.
“Food is more expensive. Utilities are more expensive. Everything is more expensive. We are all trying to figure out how to do that push and pull between the two,” said Charles Gustafson.
She said the challenge is finding a balance between affordability and protecting the services residents depend on most.
“I do not want service levels to suffer on those essential things, which means those protective services have to be there,” she said. “It sounds like we are valuing the quality of life things less so than the essentials, and I struggle with that.”
The affordability discussion led directly into opposing views between Councillor Lopez and Councillor Whiting, who said Lopez had supported adding the new Intergovernmental Relations position during earlier discussions.
“You asked for that role,” said Whiting. “You cannot ask administration to bring forward new positions and then say we need to cut everywhere else.”
Lopez pushed back, saying affordability should override any individual request.
“I did support it,” said Lopez. “But if we are going to ask families to tighten their belts, we should be willing to look at everything on our side too.”
Whiting stood firm.
“We cannot have our cake and eat it too,” he said. “We cannot ask for new positions and then criticize administration for the cost of them.”
The Intergovernmental Relations role is intended to strengthen coordination between the two provincial governments and federal agencies. The position was included in the budget at a cost of $128,000 in salary and benefits. Staff told council it would reduce delays and duplication caused by Lloydminster’s dual provincial structure. It was also one of the drivers that increased the tax impact from 3.9 per cent to 4.08 per cent.
Councillor Vance pressed administration on whether cuts could be made without affecting safety or long term planning.
“We keep hearing there is nowhere left to trim,” said Vance. “But is that really the case. Are there reductions that do not touch public safety or the long term stability of the city.”
Administration responded that reducing spending further would mean visible service impacts, including less line painting, fewer sidewalk repairs, reduced snow clearing, fewer community supports and less marketing for the airport and the Cenovus Hub.
After nearly ninety minutes of debate, council approved the budget unchanged. The 4.08 per cent increase will add about thirteen dollars per month to the average municipal tax bill.
The 2026 budget moves forward with increased spending for protective services, reserve contributions and the operating costs of the Cenovus Hub.
Read more: Investigative: City salaries climb faster than the overall budget
We really need a playground at the new rink on the west edge of Marshall because there are so many kids that live out in that area.
Whiting is the councilor that is out of touch, not Lopez.
The Cenovus Energy Hub playground is supported by the photo radar ticket reserve and not taxes. This was discussed during the meeting.
Whiting loves to spend tax payers money with no regard for how it effects people. Through the years his ideas have always annoyed me.