The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine has adopted its five-year financial plan, which includes a 6.65 percent tax increase for 2026.
The five-year plan, spanning 2026 to 2030, was adopted after a series of budget discussions and a public input session held in late February.
According to the regional district, the increase reflects rising costs across multiple services and ongoing operational pressures, while maintaining long-term financial stability.
For residents, this means different tax increases depending on location and service use.
In Terrace, for instance, the average residential property can expect a tax increase of $19.83, along with a 5.59 percent increase in assessed values.
In Kitimat, however, residents can expect a much smaller tax increase, averaging $3.53, along with a 3.78 percent increase in assessed values.
Among electoral areas, residents in rural areas and outlying communities can expect a much higher tax increase than those living in Kitimat and Terrace.
In Electoral Area C, which includes Thornhill, residents can expect a tax increase averaging $113.25, while those in Electoral Area E, which includes the Hazeltons and surrounding areas, can expect a tax increase averaging $115.76.
Electoral Area B, which includes the Hazeltons and surrounding rural areas, is expected to see an increase of $94.36. On the other hand, Electoral Area A, which includes the Nass Valley and surrounding areas, including the Nisga’a Nation, is expected to see an increase of $38.96 even with the significant rise in assessments.
Electoral Area D, which includes the communities along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, is expected to see an increase of $17.10. On the other hand, Electoral Area F, which includes the Dease Lake area along the Dease and Stikine Rivers, is expected to see an increase of $8.26.
“These figures are part of the “worst-case” scenario, whereby the property is receiving “all available services” in the area,” the regional district said, adding this is expected to apply to “only a small number of taxpayers.”
The regional district said it is expecting an operating surplus of about $4.65 million, down about $610,000 from the previous year.
Of the total 46 services that the district offers, eight services are expected to see their surplus balances decline by over $50,000. These services include general government, recreation, solid waste services, regional 911, and parks and recreation.
Looking into the future, taxation increases are expected to vary over the next five years. There is an expected peak in taxation at 13.26% in 2027. However, it is noted that this is unlikely to happen as predicted. This is because the prediction is based on the assumption that all services will have zero surplus balances at the end of 2026, which is unlikely.
More than $18.7 million is allocated for the five-year capital plan. The largest amounts are allocated to solid waste infrastructure, water and sewer, emergency services, and dike projects.
The financial plan will set the budgets and tax rates for the year 2026.
