Media Release: Town of Paradise to Table 2026 Budget in January

The Town of Paradise today announced that its 2026 municipal budget will be presented on January 29, 2026. The Town requested the extension from the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, as required under the Towns and Local Service District Act, and was granted approval for the extension.

“This year has been a challenging one for our Town,” said Mayor Patrick Martin. “In February, a fire caused extensive damage to the Town Hall and depot. Since the incident, staff have been working with our insurance provider to assess the damage and determine the required rehabilitation. The plan forward is a crucial part of the 2026 budget, and we don’t yet have all the information from the insurance provider to make those decisions. As such, we felt it was in the best interest of the Town to request an extension for the budget.”

The depot fire was an industrial fire which caused significant smoke damage to the Town Hall and depot. Given the age and size of the buildings, it takes time for adjustors to complete the various system reviews and required assessments, including engineering designs, building code assessments, and required updates, needed to determine the replacement values. The overall assessment process is nearing completion, and the Town expects to have final reports for review by the end of the year.

Town staff have been busy with budget preparations throughout the Fall. Input from residents and businesses was gathered through the annual Budget Talks 2026 public engagement process. Council have been reviewing the resident feedback, assessing department work plans, and determining the priorities for the 2026. Once the information is received from the insurance provider, Council will be able to determine the rehabilitation plans and finalize the 2026 Municipal Budget.

“Considerable work has been completed for the 2026 budget, and I thank Town staff for their dedication to the process. Once we have the financial assessments from our insurance provider, Council will be able to make the make informed decisions about Town Hall remediation and remodelling that reflect both fiscal responsibility and the long-term operational needs of our community,” said Mayor Martin.