2026 District of Houston Budget Survey

2026 Budget Survey - Deadline for Submission Nov 30, 2025

We want to hear from you!

The Budget is one of the most important matters your elected Council will decide, and your input will help Council identify key service levels and priorities and balance them with taxes and fees paid by YOU.

What is a budget?
The budget is a plan that sets out anticipated spending for the year and where the money will come from. It determines the services the municipality will provide as well as improvements or expenses related to facilities that will be made that year. A budget is the blueprint that outlines how municipal funds are collected and allocated.

Municipalities are required to "balance" the budget meaning that revenues must cover 100% of the costs of providing services. As the cost of services continue to increase for inflation (both the price of purchasing goods and wage costs) the revenue generated from property taxes and fees must be increased to cover the added costs.

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* 1. Which answer below best describes you?

Owns a home within the District of Houston

Rents a home within the District of Houston

Does not live in the District of Houston but accesses the District often for services

Owns a business in the District of Houston

Owns a business and a home in the District of Houston

None of the above

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* 2. How familiar are you with the District of Houston's budget planning processes.

I know nothing about it.

I'm very knowledgeable about it.

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 3. How well does The District of Houston explain how your tax dollars are spent?

Not well at all.

Very well.

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 4. What do you feel are the most important community issues in Houston? Rank them by checking the column that most represents how you feel.

	Extremely Important	Very Important	Somewhat important	Important	Neutral	Less Important	Not Very Important	Not Important	Not Important at all.
Accessibility	Accessibility Extremely Important	Accessibility Very Important	Accessibility Somewhat important	Accessibility Important	Accessibility Neutral	Accessibility Less Important	Accessibility Not Very Important	Accessibility Not Important	Accessibility Not Important at all.
Access to Health Services	Access to Health Services Extremely Important	Access to Health Services Very Important	Access to Health Services Somewhat important	Access to Health Services Important	Access to Health Services Neutral	Access to Health Services Less Important	Access to Health Services Not Very Important	Access to Health Services Not Important	Access to Health Services Not Important at all.
Access to Recreation Opportunities	Access to Recreation Opportunities Extremely Important	Access to Recreation Opportunities Very Important	Access to Recreation Opportunities Somewhat important	Access to Recreation Opportunities Important	Access to Recreation Opportunities Neutral	Access to Recreation Opportunities Less Important	Access to Recreation Opportunities Not Very Important	Access to Recreation Opportunities Not Important	Access to Recreation Opportunities Not Important at all.
Addiction, Overdoses, and Mental Health	Addiction, Overdoses, and Mental Health Extremely Important	Addiction, Overdoses, and Mental Health Very Important	Addiction, Overdoses, and Mental Health Somewhat important	Addiction, Overdoses, and Mental Health Important	Addiction, Overdoses, and Mental Health Neutral	Addiction, Overdoses, and Mental Health Less Important	Addiction, Overdoses, and Mental Health Not Very Important	Addiction, Overdoses, and Mental Health Not Important	Addiction, Overdoses, and Mental Health Not Important at all.
Age-targeted Programs and Services	Age-targeted Programs and Services Extremely Important	Age-targeted Programs and Services Very Important	Age-targeted Programs and Services Somewhat important	Age-targeted Programs and Services Important	Age-targeted Programs and Services Neutral	Age-targeted Programs and Services Less Important	Age-targeted Programs and Services Not Very Important	Age-targeted Programs and Services Not Important	Age-targeted Programs and Services Not Important at all.
Air Quality	Air Quality Extremely Important	Air Quality Very Important	Air Quality Somewhat important	Air Quality Important	Air Quality Neutral	Air Quality Less Important	Air Quality Not Very Important	Air Quality Not Important	Air Quality Not Important at all.
Arts, Culture, and Heritage	Arts, Culture, and Heritage Extremely Important	Arts, Culture, and Heritage Very Important	Arts, Culture, and Heritage Somewhat important	Arts, Culture, and Heritage Important	Arts, Culture, and Heritage Neutral	Arts, Culture, and Heritage Less Important	Arts, Culture, and Heritage Not Very Important	Arts, Culture, and Heritage Not Important	Arts, Culture, and Heritage Not Important at all.
Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability	Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Extremely Important	Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Very Important	Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Somewhat important	Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Important	Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Neutral	Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Less Important	Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Not Very Important	Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Not Important	Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability Not Important at all.
Economic Diversification and Development	Economic Diversification and Development Extremely Important	Economic Diversification and Development Very Important	Economic Diversification and Development Somewhat important	Economic Diversification and Development Important	Economic Diversification and Development Neutral	Economic Diversification and Development Less Important	Economic Diversification and Development Not Very Important	Economic Diversification and Development Not Important	Economic Diversification and Development Not Important at all.
Governance, Transparency, & Engagement Opportunities	Governance, Transparency, & Engagement Opportunities Extremely Important	Governance, Transparency, & Engagement Opportunities Very Important	Governance, Transparency, & Engagement Opportunities Somewhat important	Governance, Transparency, & Engagement Opportunities Important	Governance, Transparency, & Engagement Opportunities Neutral	Governance, Transparency, & Engagement Opportunities Less Important	Governance, Transparency, & Engagement Opportunities Not Very Important	Governance, Transparency, & Engagement Opportunities Not Important	Governance, Transparency, & Engagement Opportunities Not Important at all.
Infrastructure Maintenance & Renewal, including sewer, water, and roads	Infrastructure Maintenance & Renewal, including sewer, water, and roads Extremely Important	Infrastructure Maintenance & Renewal, including sewer, water, and roads Very Important	Infrastructure Maintenance & Renewal, including sewer, water, and roads Somewhat important	Infrastructure Maintenance & Renewal, including sewer, water, and roads Important	Infrastructure Maintenance & Renewal, including sewer, water, and roads Neutral	Infrastructure Maintenance & Renewal, including sewer, water, and roads Less Important	Infrastructure Maintenance & Renewal, including sewer, water, and roads Not Very Important	Infrastructure Maintenance & Renewal, including sewer, water, and roads Not Important	Infrastructure Maintenance & Renewal, including sewer, water, and roads Not Important at all.
Public Safety	Public Safety Extremely Important	Public Safety Very Important	Public Safety Somewhat important	Public Safety Important	Public Safety Neutral	Public Safety Less Important	Public Safety Not Very Important	Public Safety Not Important	Public Safety Not Important at all.
Reliable Transportation Networks, including trails, walking paths, and sidewalks	Reliable Transportation Networks, including trails, walking paths, and sidewalks Extremely Important	Reliable Transportation Networks, including trails, walking paths, and sidewalks Very Important	Reliable Transportation Networks, including trails, walking paths, and sidewalks Somewhat important	Reliable Transportation Networks, including trails, walking paths, and sidewalks Important	Reliable Transportation Networks, including trails, walking paths, and sidewalks Neutral	Reliable Transportation Networks, including trails, walking paths, and sidewalks Less Important	Reliable Transportation Networks, including trails, walking paths, and sidewalks Not Very Important	Reliable Transportation Networks, including trails, walking paths, and sidewalks Not Important	Reliable Transportation Networks, including trails, walking paths, and sidewalks Not Important at all.

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* 5. What do you feel are the most important services/programs that the District of Houston provides? The top item being the most important. (rank them by clicking the arrows on the right to move them up or down the list)

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* 6. All municipalities, including The District of Houston, are required to have a balanced budget each year. That means that the expenditures cannot be more than the money that is available.

Inflation increases the cost of providing services because the cost of materials, wages and contractor fees go up. As a result, revenue must also be increased to maintain the same level of service.

What method of balancing the budget do you think the District should use?

Increased User Fees for services such as the Leisure Facility, Arena, and Cemetery

Slight Property Tax Increase to maintain current level of service

Larger Property Tax Increase for a higher level of service

Increased Utility Fees for water, sewer and garbage pickup

No Property Tax Increase and a reduction in service levels

Introduce new user fees for services that currently have no fee

Other (please specify)

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* 7. What do you think the property tax change should be in 2026 based on your expectations for services?

There are basic services which must be maintained, such as water and sewer. If service levels are reduced it would affect other services such as road maintenance and recreational facilities.

Decrease Property Taxes - substantial decrease in service levels.

No Property Tax Increase - Instead, increase utility and user fees to maintain existing level of service.

1% Increase to Property Taxes - Does not keep pace with inflation, may require a reduction in services and infrastructure investment.

>6% Increase to Property Taxes - substantially increases the level of investment in service level and infrastructure.

Minimize increase to Property Taxes and increase utility and user fees to maintain existing level of service.

No Property Tax Increase - reduces service levels and infrastructure maintenance.

Increase Property Taxes only to the extent necessary - maintains the existing level of service - estimated at 5% to keep up with inflation.

Add comments...

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* 8. If you answered in favor of a property tax increase or increased utility or user fees, what services would you like to see improved? (check your top 5)

Animal Control

Arts, Culture, and Heritage

Bylaw Enforcement

Cemetery Services

Claude Parish Memorial Arena

Community Grant Writing Services

Emergency Services: Fire, Road Rescue, and Medical

Facilitation of Economic Development

Garbage Collection

Information, Customer Service, and Public Engagement

Leisure Facility Pool and Fitness Centre

Maintenance of Parks, Greenspaces, and Trails

Managing Public Funds

Planning & Development Services

Road Construction and Maintenance

Sewers, Water, and Stormwater Management

Snow Removal

N/A

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* 9. If you answered in favour of no property tax increase or no increases in utility and user fees, what services would you like to see decreased? (check your top 5)

Animal Control

Arts, Culture, and Heritage

Bylaw Enforcement

Cemetery Services

Claude Parish Memorial Arena

Community Grant Writing Services

Emergency Services: Fire, Road Rescue, and Medical

Facilitation of Economic Development

Garbage Collection

Information, Customer Service, and Public Engagement

Leisure Facility Pool & Fitness Centre

Maintenance of Parks, Greenspaces, and Trails

Managing Public Funds

Planning & Development Services

Road Construction and Maintenance

Sewers, Water, and Stormwater

Snow Removal

N/A

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* 10. About how long have you lived in the District of Houston?

Years

Months

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* 11. What age group do you belong to?

Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

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* 12. Gender: How do you identify?

Man

Non-binary

Woman

Prefer to self-describe, below

Self-describe:

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* 13. How did you find out about the District's Budget Survey?

Facebook

Instagram

www.houston.ca

Friend

District Staff

Newspaper

Google

Mail

Other (please specify)

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* 14. In what ways would you prefer to engage with the District about future budget planning activities?

Survey

Budget Summary

Open House

Public Forum

Neighbourhood Meetings

Facebook

Instagram

Other (please specify)

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* 15. Have you been to a Council meeting when they are discussing the budget?

Yes

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* 16. If you answered No - tell us why you haven't been to a Council meeting when they are discussing the budget. (check as many as apply)

I didn't know when or where the meeting was being held.

I feel uncomfortable going to public meetings.

I didn't know that I could join the meeting virtually.

I'm too busy in the evenings.

I'm not interested in this topic.

Other (please specify)

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* 17. Has the Canfor closure had an impact on your personal budget?

No impact.

Moderate impact.

Significant impact.

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 18. If your personal budget is impacted, has it affected your ability to pay your property taxes on time?

Yes

Add comments...

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* 19. If your personal budget is impacted has it affected your ability to use facilities such as the leisure facility or enrolling your family in programs such as hockey or swimming lessons?

Yes

Add comments...

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* 20. In 2023, 2024 and 2025 the due date for property taxes was deferred until October 31st - did you take advantage of this deferral by paying your taxes later than usual?

Yes, for one year.

Yes, for two or three years

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* 21. How would you prefer to stay informed about District initiatives?

Voyent Alert notification system

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter (X)

Email Newsletter

Newspaper

Website

Mailed Newsletter

Council Meetings (virtual or in person)

Other (please specify)

2026 District of Houston Budget Survey

2026 Budget Survey - Deadline for Submission Nov 30, 2025

Question Title

* 1. Which answer below best describes you?

Question Title

* 2. How familiar are you with the District of Houston's budget planning processes.

Question Title

* 3. How well does The District of Houston explain how your tax dollars are spent?

Question Title

* 4. What do you feel are the most important community issues in Houston? Rank them by checking the column that most represents how you feel.

Question Title

* 5. What do you feel are the most important services/programs that the District of Houston provides? The top item being the most important. (rank them by clicking the arrows on the right to move them up or down the list)

Question Title

Question Title

* 7. What do you think the property tax change should be in 2026 based on your expectations for services?There are basic services which must be maintained, such as water and sewer. If service levels are reduced it would affect other services such as road maintenance and recreational facilities.

Question Title

* 8. If you answered in favor of a property tax increase or increased utility or user fees, what services would you like to see improved? (check your top 5)

Question Title

* 9. If you answered in favour of no property tax increase or no increases in utility and user fees, what services would you like to see decreased? (check your top 5)

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* 10. About how long have you lived in the District of Houston?

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* 11. What age group do you belong to?

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* 12. Gender: How do you identify?

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* 13. How did you find out about the District's Budget Survey?

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* 14. In what ways would you prefer to engage with the District about future budget planning activities?

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* 15. Have you been to a Council meeting when they are discussing the budget?

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* 16. If you answered No - tell us why you haven't been to a Council meeting when they are discussing the budget. (check as many as apply)

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* 17. Has the Canfor closure had an impact on your personal budget?

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* 18. If your personal budget is impacted, has it affected your ability to pay your property taxes on time?

Question Title

* 19. If your personal budget is impacted has it affected your ability to use facilities such as the leisure facility or enrolling your family in programs such as hockey or swimming lessons?

Question Title

* 20. In 2023, 2024 and 2025 the due date for property taxes was deferred until October 31st - did you take advantage of this deferral by paying your taxes later than usual?

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* 21. How would you prefer to stay informed about District initiatives?

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* 22. Any other feedback or input you would like to share?

* 7. What do you think the property tax change should be in 2026 based on your expectations for services?

There are basic services which must be maintained, such as water and sewer. If service levels are reduced it would affect other services such as road maintenance and recreational facilities.