District of Squamish Council adopt first-ever 10-year Financial Plan

The District of Squamish has adopted its first ever 10-year Financial Plan at a Special Business Meeting of Council, January 13, 2026. The Financial Plan outlines the District’s operating costs, capital plan, funding sources, tax rate and utility rate impacts over a 10-year period while considering the impacts of rising costs, ongoing attention to facility upgrades, and long-term capital program.

An approximate 30+ hours of Council deliberations of the budget began last fall as residents weighed in to provide feedback on whether the District’s financial planning aligns with community values and priorities. 

“The scale of challenges and financial pressures we face as a community are such that this step of creating a 10-Year Financial Plan was needed in order begin to meaningfully address these challenges as a growing community,” says District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford. “As one of few B.C. communities to adopt a 10-Year Financial Plan, the work has been done to ensure residents and future Councils are well-positioned for the years to come.” 

The District of Squamish is among few B.C. municipalities to adopt a 10-year Financial Plan to date, using long-term projections of revenues, expenses, reserves balances and debt requirements, to meet short-term needs and address long-term financial sustainability.

“The 2026-2035 long-term financial plan balances the current pressures of rapid growth with the need to renew and replace aging facilities and infrastructure,” says District of Squamish General Manager of Financial, Information Technology and Procurement Services Heather Boxrud. “It supports predictable taxation, guides decision making to advance community goals, and maintains adequate reserves to fund the District’s Capital program. Recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association, long‑term planning strengthens both short‑term responsiveness and long‑term financial sustainability, helping to reduce the reliance on borrowing while enhancing risk management.”

View the Financial Plan bylaw.

To explore the 10-Year Financial Plan and What we Heard public engagement summary report, visit letstalksquamish.ca/budget-2026.

 

January 15, 2026