By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

where's your money going?

Lacombe residents to see 5% tax hike, plus paving tax

Nov 17, 2022 | 1:56 PM

Lacombe city council has approved its 2023 capital and operating budgets, as well as the 2023-32 capital plan.

The capital budget comes in $10.35 million for 32 projects.

The funding will be distributed between four divisions, with $74,410 going to the Lacombe Police Service, $1,697,500 towards Corporate Services, $7,392,060 towards Operations and Planning Services, and $1,189,000 towards Community Services.

“Council is excited to approve the 2023 Capital Budget,” Mayor Grant Creasey said. “This budget includes vital projects to our community and will ensure that our residents are getting the maximum return on their investment.”

Approved capital projects for 2023. (City of Lacombe Nov. 14 council agenda, page 182)

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On the operating side, a five per cent tax hike, plus one per cent for a Special Paving Tax, will be implemented for the coming year — for a total of six per cent.

According to The City, the five per cent translates to about $800,000 in additional tax revenue, with the additional one per cent equates to $160,000.

“Lacombe city council is pleased to approve the 2023 Operating Budget, which aligns with council’s goal of maintaining tax increases to or below inflation,” Mayor Creasey said. “This operating budget balances our current economic challenges while positioning us for future financial success.”

Suggestions for the 2024 budget are accepted year-round at lacombe.ca/CouncilConnect, The City notes.

Operating budget 2023

Utility Funded Operations Water

The 2023 budget for the Water Department revenues is $306,546 higher than the 2022 approved budget.

The 2023 Operating Budget includes a 5.4 percent increase in user fee revenue, offset by a $277,000 increase in transfer to the water reserve.

Wastewater

The overall proposed 2023 revenue budget for the Wastewater Department is approximately $140,000 higher than the 2022 approved budget, with a $187,000 increase in transfer to the wastewater reserve.

The proposed 2023 Operating Budget includes a 2.4 percent increase in user fee revenue.

Solid Waste

The proposed 2023 Operating Budget for the Solid Waste Department revenue is $116,136 higher than 2022.

This is approximately 3.6 percent higher user fee revenue than the 2022 approved budget.

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As for the long-term capital plan, significant projects include:

1. 2023 Capital Works Program – $5.7 million
2. Fire Station Building (2023 – $0.5 million, 2025 – $4.5 million) – $5.0 million
3. Fire Ladder Truck Replacement – (2023 $0.2 million, 2025 $0.7 million, 2026 $1.1 million) – $2 million
4. Roads Renewal Program – Capital Works – (2024 – 2032) – Total Cost $16.2 million
5. New water reservoir and decommissioning of Pumphouse B – (2025 – $0.2 million, 2026 – $1.0 million, 2027 $9.8 million) – Total Cost $11.0 million

The estimated capital expenditures represented in the 2023-2032 capital plan are $80.7 million, before inflation.