UPDATE: Region of Queens to begin budget talks Dec. 19

Region of Queens Mayor Scott Christian. (Rick Conrad)

NOTE: This story has been updated from the original version. The region has changed the date of their first meeting to discuss the draft capital budget to Dec. 19.

The Region of Queens is kickstarting its budget talks.

The last couple of years, the region began its budget deliberations in April and passed its operating and capital budgets in May. That’s after the fiscal year begins.

For the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year, though, the region plans to start the process much earlier.

In April, Mayor Scott Christian told QCCR the delays in starting budget talks were due to staffing shortages. And that the next round of budget talks would begin much earlier.

“In an ideal world, I’d like to see the capital budget approved in December and have a draft of the operating budget available for public input in January,” he said.

And that’s what the region is planning, or close to it. A special council meeting has been called for Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. to review the draft capital budget, which contains big infrastructure projects like water and wastewater improvements, as well as other work on municipally owned facilities.

Christian said in April that regional council wants to be able to take a more thoughtful approach.

“We want to make it as engaging, transparent as possible for members. And we also want it to be a thoughtful, deliberate, intentional, patient approach.”

In a note on their website, the region said that passing the capital budget in the spring makes it difficult for tenders to be issued and awarded in a timely fashion. Approving it earlier means that projects can start sooner.

In May, councillors approved a five-year, $46.2-million capital investment plan, along with their $31-million operating budget.

Councillors are expected to approve the region’s 2026-27 capital plan at council’s first meeting of 2026 on Jan. 13.

The 2026-27 operating budget is scheduled to be introduced at the regular council meeting on Feb. 24. Councillors will debate it for a month, with an anticipated approval at the end of March.

The draft capital budget documents will likely be posted on the region’s website on Dec. 10.

The special council meeting about the draft capital budget will be held in council chambers on Fri., Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. It will also be livestreamed on the region’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. 

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

Listen to the audio version of this story below