🔔Town Council Delivers $20 Million Balanced Budget for 2026

Public Service Announcement

RELEASED December 17, 2025

Councillor Denise Rumbolt, Chairperson of the Finance Administration & Policy Committee, presented the 2026 Town Budget to the Town Council at a Special Meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 5:00 pm. This year’s budget has been balanced at $20,370,188.02.

This 2026 budget consists of an Operating Budget $17,071,218 which provides the daily residential services for residents receive, and a Capital Budget of $3,298,970 (included in Fiscal Services below) which is the Town’s share, for improving and upgrading essential services.

Click here to view the full Council Meeting on YouTube.

Click here to read the full text of Councillor Rumbolt’s speech.

Click here to view the 2026 Budget Submission.

Councillor Rumbolt further stated in her Budget Speech that “Finalizing a municipal budget is never an easy task. It requires careful consideration, difficult choices, and a clear vision for the future. It is, however, a responsibility that Council takes very seriously. Our goal each year is not just to balance the books, but to strike a balance in how we invest—investing wisely in our services, our infrastructure, and most importantly, in you, the residents of our community.“

With rising living costs and increased expenditure in running businesses, the cost of providing essential services has gone up. However, as Councillor Rumbolt said in her speech, “this budget includes no increases to property tax rates, business tax rates, or water and sewer fees. We know how important affordability is, and Council has worked diligently to protect residents and businesses from additional financial burden.”

The budget highlights the maintenance of several important relief and incentive programs as a reflection of the Town’s commitment to incentivizing and supporting sustained community growth and innovation.

• low-income tax relief and the three-year property tax exemption for doctors remain in place.
• Supports for young entrepreneurs—including business application fee and business tax exemptions, as well as property and business tax relief programs for not-for-profit organizations and community groups will continue.

The Town is investing in our municipal operations to strengthen safety, efficiency, and service delivery. These investments include:

• Purchase of firefighting equipment
• New loader (current loader re-assigned to landfill, the one at the landfill to be sold for scraps and parts)
• Portable generator for lift stations when there are power cuts and outages
• Multi-purpose utility tractor mower, blower and bucket.
• A big centrally hung scoreboard, along with upgrades to the arena ice plant computer system.
• Staff training and professional development

Investment in community

–           Tourism initiatives

–           Increased annual support for Health Waters Labrador (HWL) to $40,000

–           $24,000 investment to install washroom facility at Birch Island Conservation Area (BICA)

–           New canopy for Kinsmen Park (KP)

–           Watering system and fencing materials for the soccer field

–       Water/Sewer infrastructure loan of $1.3 million as the Town’s share of the $4.775 million Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund’s (CHIF) project (pending approval).

–           Design work to be completed for a larger and modern fire hall.

Councillor Rumbolt mentions that “the new tourist accommodation tax will give the Town a dedicated revenue source to support and enhance tourism-related projects and activities. This will allow us to reinvest directly into initiatives that showcase our community, strengthen our local economy, and create new opportunities.

The 2026 budget balances responsibility and optimism as consideration for affordability, well-being and targeted investments in infrastructure towards sustained economic development remain top priorities. Councillor Rumbolt extended her gratitude on behalf of the 14th Council to the Town staff and the CAO, Nadine MacAulay, who invested diligent hours into the budgeting process.

Mayor Pomeroy commented that “the budget is a reflection of our shared values and our commitment to building a stronger Happy Valley – Goose Bay”.