Residential tax rate remains same as Miramichi city council approves 2026 budget
A breakdown of where tax dollars are spent for the City of Miramichi.
Miramichi City Council passed the city’s four budgets at a Special Council Meeting on December 2nd, 2025.
City council held three days of public deliberations on November 12th, November 24th, and November 25th before adopting the final budget which includes four separate budgets:
General Operating Budget – funds municipal programs and services - approved on an unanimous motion by council
Utility Operating Budget – funds the provision of water and sewerage services - approved on an unanimous motion by council
Utility Capital Budget – funds new construction as well as updates to existing infrastructure - approved on an unanimous motion by council
General Capital Budget – funds new construction as well as updates to existing infrastructure - approved on a vote of 5 to 4
The City’s residential tax rate will remain the same at 1.715 per $100 assessment.
For 2026, 81.31 per cent of the budget is dedicated to investing in the sustainability of City programs, services and maintenance of infrastructure.
Watch the full meeting here.
Highlights of the 2026 Utility Operating Budget ($6.68 million)
Budget has increased by $122,646 from 2025
The 2024 surplus provides an increase of 2026 revenue of $88,296
No increase to water and sewerage rates in 2026. Water cost per cubic meter will remain at $1.29. The residential sewerage flat rate will remain at $99.03 per quarter.
Average quarterly bill for family of 4 would be $103.50 for water, $99.03 for sewer for an average yearly billing of $810.12
Highlights of the 2026 Utility Capital Budget ($4.89 million)
$3.5 million for Shannex lift station – required for water and sewage services
$878,950 for the water and sewer component of two 2 street reconstruction projects
$415,000 for Williston Drive transmission line
$100,000 for Phase 8/9 design of Newcastle Water System Upgrades
Highlights of the 2026 General Operating Budget ($46.6 million)
The residential tax rate will remain the same at $1.715 per $100 of assessment.
The residential tax rate in the former Nelson Local Service District will increase by 5 cents to $0.7808 per $100 of assessment.
The residential tax rate in the former Newcastle Service District will increase by 5 cents to $0.7643 per $100 of assessment.
Non-residential (commercial) tax rates and heavy industrial tax rate will remain at 1.6 times the local residential rate.
A new position was created in the Public Works Department.
Highlights of the 2026 General Capital Budget ($45.3 million)
$37,590,000 for Miramichi Multiplex project
$3,625,810 for road work and sidewalks
$2,207,195 for land improvements including parks, playgrounds and trails
$1,495,000 for renewal and upgrades to equipment and businesses.
$410,000 in ongoing fleet replacement including replacement of a transit bus, tow truck, patrol car and equipment van.
For more information please contact:
Gail Harding
Communications Officer
gail.harding@miramichi.org