(Image Credit: File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Tax increase

Nipawin property taxes jump 8.5 per cent for 2026

Feb 14, 2026 | 8:00 PM

Property owners in Nipawin will have to dig deeper to pay their tax bill this year. 

Taxes have gone up about 8.5 per cent in 2026. That includes a 3.5 per cent operating levy increase, plus a Dedicated Recreation and Facility Tax of about 5 per cent. 

General Manager of Community Services Derek Seckinger discussed the increase with northeastNOW. 

“Council chose to establish the Dedicated Recreation and Facility Tax to create a protected reserve for future recreation and facility repairs and replacements,” Seckinger said. “In 2026, the intent is to start building dedicated capacity tied to known future needs, including the Centennial Arena floor, the Jubilee Arena roof, and the pool waterslide replacement.” 

Like all municipalities, Nipawin faces challenges with substantially increasing costs, especially since the pandemic. Seckinger said that the overall expense growth continues to outpace revenue growth, putting pressure on taxation. He said that pressure requires Council to make difficult decisions while maintaining services and planning for long-term stability. 

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The new fund is designed to build reserves for future work on key recreation assets, according to Seckinger.  

“The purpose is to avoid deferring major repairs, reduce the risk of sudden failures, and limit the need for large one-time tax increases when major facility work becomes avoidable.” 

Some of the significant capital projects in the works in Nipawin for 2026 include renovations to the Evergreen Centre, ball diamond relocation, and funding for grandstand repairs. Seckinger said safety-focused projects include improvements for the lift at the Centennial Arena, and a scorelift. Other expenses include a new grader wing and a new pickup truck. 

“At the same time, the Town is building reserves and maintaining five-year planning continuity for future requirements including the landfill cell, a sanitary trunk upgrade, future equipment capital, a fire truck, and the broader asset management framework that supports reserve accountability and planned replacement cycles.” 

Seckinger said the cost to maintain, renew, and improve assets like the Evergreen Centre has increased across the board, and the Town is trying to balance affordability with the need to protect essential community infrastructure. That includes using planned reserves and target capital work to extend asset life and maintain a service level that residents expect. 

“The budget process was efficient, and deliberations were thorough,” said Seckinger. “Administration presented options and implications, and Council made difficult decisions with full awareness of the tax impact and the importance of protecting core assets.” 

Seckinger added their approach to the budget is structured around planning and predictability, reducing the likelihood of reactive emergency spending by identifying future major needs and setting those funds aside in advance. 

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com