Be on Time! Advertising Deadline: 12 Noon on Tuesday

Friday, May 22, 2026

For PDF version of this week paper, please click here...

2x12 Assiniboine Window & Door Business Directory.png

For 2026 the Town of Virden expects to operate on a $14.382Million budget which includes a capital expenditure plan of $7.201M. About 30 projects will service necessities like the fire department, water treatment, garbage services, airport and land development as well as many recreation upgrades.

With mayor and council present on May 7, Chair of Planning and Finance Marc Savy introduced the presentation. He said the budget and tax bylaw would be heard on May 12 to provide an opportunity for the public to hear the budget plan and for any changes that were needed.

The next week, at a Special Meeting on May 12, the Financial Plan was approved and the tax bylaw received first reading on that date, further readings to follow.

Three members of the public were present at the public hearing where Chief Financial Officer Anna Macksymchuk presented the Financial Plan with a PowerPoint display. A 13-page guide was available for the public as well as the line by line 14-page financial document.

Chief Administrative Officer Neil Smith was away at a planning conference on the evening of the budget presentation.

However, he had created a colourful presentation telling where Virden’s finances come from and how they are being spent and what the plans are for the future. That piece of informative artwork you can find on the Town of Virden Facebook page.

This simplified FB reel tells that Virden’s revenue is “beautifully balanced” with taxes accounting for 39% of total revenue. Transfers from Accumulated Surpluses and Reserves provide 31% and 30% is from Other Revenue.

The Town has debt debentures to cover water and sewer extensions, treatment plant upgrades in two phases, the new well and pipeline, as well as street paving and it appears to be well within the budget’s capacity to handle. Debit issued and authorized as of Jan. 1 is $8.769M.

The overall 2026 budget is lower than the 2025 budget. Infrastructure repair and expansion is planned for with the 2026 transportation services budget is almost $94K over that of last year.

The picture is positive. Although assessments (at large) are up by 0.9%, mill rates (at large) are up only slightly, from 22.020 in 2025, to 22.056. So, home taxation will be up slightly.

Financial documents for 2026 budget are available online and at the Town Office.