City’s proposed 2025 budget available this week

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This article was published 08/01/2025 (253 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon residents will get an opportunity next week to quiz city officials, including Mayor Jeff Fawcett, about the municipal budget proposed for the Wheat City this year, which includes another considerable increase.

The City of Brandon will release the 2025 proposed municipal budget this week, with the documents available on its website today.

On Jan. 24 and 25, Mayor Jeff Fawcett and members of the council will deliberate on the proposed budget, which has been prepared by city administration.

City residents can attend the session, which will be held in the council chambers at Brandon City Hall, a news release issued on Tuesday afternoon stated.

On Thursday, Jan. 16, members of the public will also have an opportunity to ask city administrators specific questions about the proposed budget during a come-and-go open house scheduled to be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Troy Tripp, the city’s director of finance, will make a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m. on the same day.

Three additional pre-budget sessions are planned to be held before the budget deliberations, with Part I of the capital budget session taking place tonight between 6-9 p.m. in council chambers. Part II will take place on Jan. 13, and other budgetary items will be deliberated on Jan. 21. These other two sessions will also be held in council chambers between 6-9 p.m.

The 2025 proposed budget includes an additional $6.2 million earned through municipal taxes being levied. That would require a 12 per cent increase in revenue, which would translate to an 11.7 per cent increase for an average property owner in the municipal portion of their tax bill, compared with last year.

The proposed combined general and utility budgets are pegged at $153.4 million. The proposed capital plan is estimated to be $151.6 million, which includes $37.9 million in federal and provincial grant funding.

Based on an average single-family residential property assessed at $301,300, the daily cost is $6.59. That works out to $2,406 (municipal taxes only) per year, according to documents provided by the City of Brandon.

Several major projects from the proposed capital budget have also been listed, such as a $30.7 million allocation for wastewater infrastructure enhancements and preservation, including the Southwest Wastewater Servicing Project. Land drainage improvements, including the Southeast Drainage Project, is estimated to cost $18.9 million. The amount allocated for the water treatment facility expansion is $28.5 million, while upgrades for streets, sidewalks and active transportation will cost $13.2 million.

An estimated $6.1 million will be needed to complete upgrades at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex ice arena, with an opening expected in the fall of 2025.

The Maple Leaf Foods Sports Complex, which is expected to open in the summer of 2025, requires $4.6 million for completion. Other items in the proposed operating budget include increased funding for improved road and property restoration, a new low-income water audit/fixture subsidy program, and enhanced Brandon Transit security, stated the city’s document.

Members of the Brandon City Council approved a budget requiring a 9.4 per cent property tax increase in 2024.

For more information about the city’s 2025 budget process, or to provide feedback, send an email to budget@brandon.ca.

» The Brandon Sun