Riverview Council has completed its 2026 budget deliberations, confirming the residential property tax rate will remain at $1.3826 for every $100 of assessment.
The final budget is scheduled for ratification at the November 10 council meeting.
Operating and capital plans
Council said the general operating budget totals $43,075,906, while the capital budget is set at $43,584,500.
The utility operating budget is $8,960,187, with a utility capital budget of $3,801,554.
The town’s debt ratio is projected at 7.56 per cent. Officials noted Riverview has reduced its tax rate by 21 cents over the past five years.
Assessment growth and funding
Council said Riverview’s municipal assessment base grew by 5.1 per cent, exceeding the projected three per cent. Officials added that provincial equalization funding increased by 2.4 per cent to $1,042,097.
Council said the stronger growth and provincial support meant cuts to the capital budget were avoided. However, officials cautioned that Riverview’s equalization grant is projected to decline annually until it reaches zero in 2029.
Utility rates
The water and sewer rate will rise to $928 annually, an increase of $8 for residential customers. Commercial rates will increase by 2.1 per cent.
Policing budget
Council unanimously rejected a policing budget presented by the Codiac Regional Policing Authority (CRPA) that included funding for 15 new RCMP members.
Officials said all three municipalities directed the CRPA not to add new officers unless data was provided to justify the impact of 17 officers hired in 2025 and to show how additional members would reduce crime.
Council said the CRPA did not provide that information.
The RCMP told council they could only justify four new officers based on population growth. Council said without a business case or impact data, they were not prepared to approve additional taxpayer funding.
Rising costs
Council noted several cost pressures:
- Electricity costs have risen 44 per cent since 2020, despite reduced consumption.
- Street paving costs continue to rise, with asphalt unit prices up 6.4 per cent.
- Public transit funding for Codiac Transpo increased 18.2 per cent due to fleet expansion and maintenance.
- The operating reserve fund increased 68.3 per cent to $326,402 for contingencies and new facility costs.
Community and economic development
Council approved several community and development initiatives, including:
- $555,900 in Housing Accelerator Fund revenue, offset by matching expenditures.
- $405,000 in commercial development grants.
- Medical education grants and strategic planning for Bridgedale, Gunningsville and Robertson areas.
- A $15,000 increase in funding to BGC Riverview to offset lost bar revenue.
- A two per cent increase in funding to RAC and You Turns.
New positions
Council approved new roles in Engineering and Public Works to improve supervision and safety, and in Parks and Recreation to focus on older adult programming and volunteer coordination.
Capital highlights
Council outlined major capital spending for 2026, including:
- $34.7 million to complete the Riverview Recreation Complex.
- $2.13 million for local improvement road reconstruction on Hiltz Avenue and Vernon Avenue.
- $1.64 million for Hillsborough Road and Blythwood.
- $2.3 million for public works equipment, including a grader, snowplow truck, loader, sidewalk blower and backhoe.
- $1 million for water main renewal on Biggs and Karolie.
- $1.9 million for sewer replacement on Cleveland Avenue.
- $355,000 for Byron Dobson Arena upgrades to meet code compliance and design new grandstands.
- $62,000 for a PPE washer for firefighting equipment.
- $57,000 for fascia board replacement at the fire hall.
- $100,000 for active transportation, including a bridge along the East Riverfront Trail.
- $190,000 for streetlights and traffic signal maintenance.
- $460,000 for security system upgrades across municipal buildings.
Strategic planning
Council said Riverview’s debt ratio is projected to remain below 12 per cent through 2031.
Officials added that capital contributions from operating budgets will be reduced from $6 million to $4 million between 2027 and 2030 to stabilize tax rates.
Council said reserve usage will include $700,000 from the operating reserve over two years and $11 million from capital reserves for the recreation complex and other projects.
