Taxpayers in the City of Saint John should be looking forward to a bit of a break on their property taxes next for 2026.

The city’s finance committee voted Oct. 29 to recommend to council a budget that includes a 1.5-cent reduction on property taxes. The cut would bring the rate down to $1.535 per $100 of assessed value.

Chief financial officer Kevin Fudge said if the reduction is approved, it would mean the city has reduced the tax rate by 25 cents in the last five years.

“We would like to propose passing on a larger tax rate decrease to the community,” Fudge said. “However, it was not possible with the existing property tax freeze.”

Some highlights of the proposed budget include almost $11 million toward roads and sidewalks around the city, including street reconstructions on Charlotte Street, Lansdowne Avenue and Ropewalk Road.

The funds will also be used to advance a roundabout strategy with funding for a future roundabout on Loch Lomond Road.

Funding for a governance review of the Saint John Police Force is included. That follows a referral motion by city council earlier this year to study the possibility of elimination of the Saint John Police Commission.

Recreation is also a big part of the budget, with funds to begin a design and master plan at Seaside Park on the west side, an improvement plan at Memorial Field, funding to support a cricket pitch, and upgrades to playgrounds around the city.

Fudge said there is a new permanent staff position in the budget for community standards.

“It’s a community standards co-ordinator that will increase service levels associated with unsightly premises, zoning, compliance, unsightly buildings and properties,” Fudge said. “We have heard that from a few councillors as a desired service enhancement.”

The committee is expected to meet Nov. 12 to finalize recommendations before the budget goes to the full council Nov. 17.