The Village of Sayward is preparing for a steep 42% increase in property taxes under its draft 2026–2030 financial plan — a dramatic shift for a community of fewer than 400 residents and one that underscores the severity of its financial challenges. The plan is expected to be finalized in April, but the scale of the proposed increase has already sparked concern, debate, and renewed scrutiny of the village’s governance.
At a Feb. 17 committee meeting, village CPA Jeannie Bradburne walked council through the draft budget and laid out the structural issues that have brought Sayward to this point. For years, she explained, the village’s expenditures have consistently exceeded its revenues. Rather than raising taxes or cutting services earlier, the village relied heavily on reserve funds to cover annual shortfalls. Those reserves, once a buffer against financial instability, are now nearly depleted.
With no meaningful surplus left to draw from, Bradburne said the village has reached a legal and practical limit: the only remaining tool to balance the budget is a substantial increase in property taxes. Even after implementing cost-saving measures — including cancelling programs and closing the Kelsey Recreation Centre, a facility that once served as a community hub — the gap between what the village spends and what it brings in remains significant.
The first draft of the budget projected a nearly 50% tax increase, but subsequent adjustments and recalculations brought the figure down to approximately 42%. For the average household, that means an annual increase of about $725, or roughly $60 per month. Sewer and water fees are also slated to rise, while solid waste fees will remain unchanged. Taken together, the total estimated monthly impact for residents is expected to be around $72.
The financial discussion quickly intersected with ongoing political tensions. During the meeting, Councillor Scott Burchett criticized the village’s high legal expenses in 2025, noting that a large portion of those costs stemmed from litigation involving himself and Councillor Sue Poulsen. The village is reportedly considering censure and potential legal action against the two councillors, and has applied to the province to reduce the required council quorum from three members to two — a move intended to ensure council can continue functioning despite persistent conflict and absences.
Sayward’s council has been mired in turmoil since the last municipal election. Two councillors resigned in 2024, citing dysfunction and an inability to work effectively within the current political climate. Their departures left the remaining council members struggling to maintain quorum and make decisions, further complicating efforts to address the village’s financial problems.
At the Feb. 17 meeting, Councillor Debbie Coates urged her colleagues to undertake a detailed, line-by-line review of the budget in search of additional savings. She argued that residents deserve assurance that every possible cost-saving measure has been explored before council approves such a significant tax increase. Village CAO Andrew Young added that declining provincial grants, rising operational costs, and long-term structural challenges have all contributed to Sayward’s precarious fiscal position.
The village’s difficulties have not gone unnoticed by residents. Some, frustrated by both the financial strain and the ongoing governance issues, have launched the Sayward Taxpayers Alliance, and a petition calling for the dissolution of the Village of Sayward and its integration into the Strathcona Regional District. Supporters of the petition argue that joining the regional district could provide a broader tax base, more stable service delivery, and relief from the political turmoil that has plagued the village.
Council is expected to reconvene in March to continue budget deliberations and explore whether the proposed tax increase can be reduced before the financial plan is finalized. For now, Sayward faces a pivotal moment — one that will shape not only its finances but also its future as an independent municipality.
