Lacombe County council approves 2022 final budgets & tax rates

The 2022 tax rates and tax rate changes for Lacombe County, the provincial Policing Levy, Alberta Education, and the Lacombe Foundation are as follows:

(Lacombe County)

Based on the new rates, County officials say 2022 property taxes on a $400,000 residence in Lacombe County will be $2,124.80, increasing $9.60 from 2021.

Please note: the property tax payment deadline is August 31, 2022.

Impact of Levies on Tax Rates

In April 2020, County officials note the Province began charging all municipalities for policing costs. In 2022, municipalities are responsible for 20 per cent, compared to 15 per cent in 2021 and 10 per cent in 2020.

For Lacombe County, this is estimated to be $803,000 in 2022, compared to $578,000 in 2021. This proportion increases annually, topping out at 30 per cent after year four. County officials say council has directed to fund the policing cost by a uniform tax rate applied against all taxable properties. This tax rate will appear separately on the County’s property tax notices.

County officials say education taxes represent 48 per cent of the 2022 tax bill for residential property owners in Lacombe County and 40 per cent of the 2022 tax bill for non-residential property owners. The official 2022 Alberta School Fund Requisition was released in early 2022 and identified a $0.09/$1,000 increase for residential and farmland and a $0.14/$1,000 increase for non-residential Provincial school tax rates.

Operating Budget Details

County officials say the 2022 operating budget of $70,693,740 includes $12,677,290 in requisitions for the Lacombe Foundation, Designated Industrial Properties (DIP), and Alberta Education, as well as $802,920 for Policing.

In addition to including the final requisition estimates, several other changes have been made to the operating budget as part of this final approval. These highlights include:

Increased fuel costs – $406,530
Reduction of funding from tax rate stabilization reserve – $218,890
Increases in Administration Services:
- Lacombe County Website upgrades – $50,000
- Additional costs for parking lot repairs – $14,200
Addition of a contribution from the Operational Reserve for repairs to the scraper awaiting a replacement unit – $55,000;
Inclusion of the Summer Village of Sunbreaker Cove contributions for the Commissionaires at the Sunbreaker Cove recreation area, previously netted in expenses – $7,140.
Included are the operating costs for Sandy Point and Sunbreaker Cove recreation sites – $81,680
Increase in recreation operating grants – $24,860

Capital Budget Details

Council also approved amendments to the $24,187,200 capital budget. These changes include:

Decrease in Wetland Compensation payments on various road construction projects – $29,450;
Addition of power pole moves on road construction projects:
- Township Road 41-3 – $60,000
- Range Road 2-3 – $24,000
Addition of a generator for Lakeview Estates water system – $35,000

The capital budget also included:

$12.62 million in road construction.
$2.80 million in bridge replacement projects, a decrease of $1.58 million from 2021.
Equipment and vehicle replacements are increasing by $6.535 million, including $1.243 million in fire equipment.

Maximizing Value for Residents

Lacombe County Council directed that municipal tax rate increases be as low as possible while still providing sustainable funding for operating and capital expenses in the year ahead and ensuring that Lacombe County infrastructure, assets and services are maintained at appropriate levels.

“Despite continuing to see rising costs, the 2022 operating budget, capital budget, and municipal tax rates have been established to provide for the continued delivery of a high level of services and programs for our citizens in the most cost-effective manner possible,” said County Manager Tim Timmons.

by rdnewsNOW Staff

Lacombe County council approves 2022 final budgets & tax rates

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