The Town of High Level is taking a new approach to its 2026 budget—one that puts priorities, community input, and long-term sustainability at the center of decision-making.
Instead of relying on past spending habits, Town administration conducted a detailed, evidence-based review across all departments, ensuring every dollar aligns with core services and community needs.
A major shift this year was early public engagement. In December, Chief Administrative Officer Viv Thoss invited residents to share their ideas and priorities—marking the first time this level of input has shaped the budget from the start.
The proposed budget delivers measurable results: over one million dollars in savings, a nearly six percent drop in overall spending, and more than $337,000 in property tax relief for residents and businesses.
At the same time, the Town is maintaining essential services like infrastructure, emergency response, and community programming, while setting aside over two million dollars in reserves.
Officials say the goal isn’t just balancing the books—but building a stable financial future, with plans underway for a 5-to-10-year strategy to guide growth and investment.
Council will review the proposal in the coming weeks.
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