Proposed 2027 budget is online before council votes on it
The District posted its proposed 2027 budget and 10 year financial plan, project by project. The same week it received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2026 budget document.
What changesThe budget sets property tax and utility rates. Council has not adopted it yet.
What is online
The District of Squamish has posted its draft 2027 to 2036 financial plan in an online tool called Budget Book. You can find it at letstalksquamish.ca/budget-2027. The tool shows proposed projects, changes to service levels and budget pressures that council will look at before it adopts the plan. The current plan, for 2026 to 2035, is also there to compare.
On October 20, 2026, the District said it received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2026 budget document. The District calls this the highest recognition in government budgeting. Read the District news release.
The numbers so far
A council agenda from September 29, 2026 shows where the staff draft stands:
- The draft general fund starts at a 10.4% property tax increase, before items still waiting for council approval.
- 6.6% of that is costs the District has already committed to.
- That works out to about $342 more for the average home.
- Nothing is decided. The new council sets the final number, likely in January 2027.
In January 2026, council adopted the District's first 10 year financial plan. It raised property tax revenue 12.8% in 2026 (our explainer). The District says the main costs behind the increases are aging buildings that must be replaced (the public works yard, fire halls and Brennan Park), RCMP contract costs, wages, debt payments and building up savings.
Why this year is different
Budget talks began in early September with council workshops. Because of the election, the old council reviewed the draft until the end of its term. The new council will pick up the review.
During the campaign, Mayor Sean Easton promised to freeze property taxes for 2027. Councillor Janice DesJardins said she wants zero based budgeting and to strive for zero tax increases. You can follow these promises on our scorecard.
How to take part
- Explore the draft plan in Budget Book.
- Answer the questions on the Let's Talk Squamish budget page.
- Email comments to budgetfeedback@squamish.ca.
- Watch council budget meetings live or as recordings on CivicWeb.
- Click "+ Follow" on the budget page for updates.
- Attend a Budget Information Night to meet council and staff. The date has not been set yet.
The District says all feedback will go to the new council during budget talks. After input closes, it will publish a What We Heard Report on the main themes. You can also weigh in on our Have your say page.