(File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By BattlefordsNOW Staff

BUDGET TALKS

Community groups hold steady in 2026 funding requests to North Battleford

Oct 22, 2025 | 3:32 PM

North Battleford city council has heard its 2026 community budget delegations, with most organizations maintaining or slightly reducing their funding requests ahead of budget deliberations next month.

Director of Finance Margarita Pena said she was pleased with how the Oct. 20 presentations went.

“Everyone anticipated we had open discussions. Council had some active and interesting questions about their requests,” she said. “It was a productive time to be there.”

Transit and Handi-Bus

The Battlefords Transit System, presented by chair Greg Lightfoot, is asking the city for $130,741 in 2026 — a drop of about $47,000 from last year’s allocation.

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Pena said the decrease reflects the system’s reduction from two routes to one earlier this year, adding that council has requested updated ridership figures before deliberations.

Public and intergovernmental relations coordinator Candace Toma said ridership has continued to fall since service hours were cut on May 1, 2025, when the second route was discontinued. The city fully funds the service, and the council now wants to see how much of each ride is subsidized by taxpayers. She noted that operating a small-city transit system at a loss is typical across Canada.

While the conventional transit system faces declining use, Handi-Bus ridership has risen significantly. The program’s $266,224 operating budget for 2026 includes $43,563 from the province’s Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities grant and $83,255 in fare revenue. The remaining $139,406 will be covered through the existing 70-30 cost split between the City of North Battleford ($97,584) and the Town of Battleford ($41,822).

“The reduction in request is due to an increase in funding from the provincial government, so it’s less of an impact to our taxpayers,” Toma said.

Business Improvement District

The Business Improvement District (BID) is keeping its $120,000 levy on downtown properties but shifting $5,000 from cleaning to security measures such as lighting.

“They are recognizing a decrease in cleaning fees … and they are going to reallocate it to security in the downtown,” Pena said.

The BID’s total 2026 budget of $166,680 is unchanged. Toma said cleaning crews “are doing their best to make the downtown clean” while continuing public events to draw people into local shops.

Arts, recreation and culture

The Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts is again seeking $235,000 for 2026, matching its 2025 request. Pena said council members questioned how the centre ensures programming appeals to a diverse audience. Executive director Kali Weber outlined upcoming shows and fundraisers and explained that she carefully schedules performances to attract regional audiences without competing directly with larger venues in Saskatoon or Lloydminster.

The Twin Rivers Curling Club asked for $36,000, matching its rent payment to the city, and the North Battleford Golf and Country Club kept its $75,000 request. Pena said the golf club reported strong participation after repairing last year’s pump-house fire.

Public Library

The North Battleford Public Library is seeking a $10,000 increase — to $163,560 — its first in several years. Head librarian Jennifer Rosin wrote that the change covers higher “cost of operations, supplies, and materials.”

Pena said the separate Lakeland Library Region grant, which handles staff costs, also includes $70,500 for local security.

Next steps

Council’s first budget deliberation is expected Nov. 12, with final approval on Dec. 8.

“That’s when all of these questions and requests for more information will be brought back and explained more in full,” Toma said about the deliberations.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com