Town administration and council members were available at an open house Monday to answer questions about the 2026 operating budget. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

open house

Surplus forecasted for 2026 La Ronge operating budget

Nov 17, 2025 | 2:56 PM

The Town of La Ronge has put forward a proposed operating budget for 2026 with a $900,000 surplus.

At an open house hosted by the municipality on Monday, information presented showed $8,576,000 in expenses and revenues with $900,000 being transferred to reserves for future capital project financing for 2026.

There is currently more than $10.5 million in the town’s reserve fund.

“We’ve been budgeting for the last few years for a bit of a reserve account put into there for developments. We budget for a surplus knowing we have things in our 10-Year Capital Plan we need accomplished, so we want to make sure we don’t deplete it and we keep things moving and being able to have the ability to cover it off,” said Mayor Joe Hordyski.

“We’re in good shape and it is good that we are, especially right now trying to get property shovel ready.”

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Work has been underway for months to make several sites in La Ronge ready for future housing developments, which is the top priority for town council. In 2026, there will be future work to complete Phase 2 and 3 of Robertson Drive.

Other capital projects for 2026 include $3.6 million for road and sidewalk maintenance and repairs, $2.9 million for sewer pipe lining, $1.2 million for sanitary and water distribution system repairs, $150,000 to replace a sander truck, $120,000 for curb stop replacements, $110,000 for airport drainage, and $105,000 for an airport skid steer replacement.

Construction of a new $17.65 million wastewater treatment plant will also begin. The town’s portion is $1,470,000 with $294,000 going towards the project in 2026.

Council is also proposing changes to water and sewer rates. They include a reduction in the discount offered to those making annual payments in advance for services, the addition of an infrastructure repair and maintenance fee on each utility account effective January 2026, and annual 2.5 per cent rate increases starting in 2027.

For most utility account holders, including all residential properties, this will equate to $20 per month in new fees in 2026 while fees will increase $30 to $40 per month for some larger utility users.

In addition, the town is planning to provide relief in the form of a property tax reduction in the form of a $240 per year cut to the base tax applied to all residential and commercial properties.

“We’re adjusting up the water rates because we have been subsidizing the water rates with the general revenue,” Hordyski explained.

Other highlights include $225,000 for the replacement of two command trucks for the La Ronge Regional Fire Department, as well as $18,000 for the construction of a residence in the hall. The residence will be used to house the seasonal fire fighters employed by the town every spring and summer.

Read more about the 2026 operating budget online here.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com