(Town of Ponoka)

By rdnewsNOW staff

$39.4 million

Town of Ponoka approves 2026 interim budget

Dec 15, 2025 | 10:49 AM

The Town of Ponoka announced the approval of its 2026 interim budget, including a $23.9 million operating and a $15.4 million capital budget.

This comes after two days of budget deliberations in late November, which led council to approve the interim budget at $39.4 million.

This means the estimated property tax increase is approximately two per cent, but at this point, it’s still too early to calculate the increase for 2026 until property assessment values become available in the spring.

“Council and administration worked together to find efficiencies and arrive at a lean, fiscally responsible budget that delivers on key priorities in the town’s strategic plan,” said Town of Ponoka Chief Administrative Officer Sandra Lund. “This 2026 interim budget carefully balances the need to fund extensive upgrades that are required for essential town infrastructure while minimizing the cost to taxpayers and utility rate payers.”

Some of the operating, capital and infrastructure projects planned for 2026 include:

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• Ponoka’s Annual Pavement and Concrete Improvement Program – This provides annual maintenance and improvement of Town roadways and sidewalks throughout the community;
• Highway 53 Improvements – The Town will work in partnership with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors to complete Highway 53 improvements in Ponoka next spring. This will include upgrades to the 46 Street intersection (paving, concrete, signal lights, lighting, underground utility and electrical work, and realignment of that intersection) and connecting the trail along Highway 53 to the river valley trail system at 46 Street;
• Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements – The Town will begin upgrades to its wastewater treatment facility to be completed in phases to meet provincial regulatory requirements and position the Town for future growth;
• Waterworks System Improvements – This includes storm sewer system maintenance, sanitary sewer maintenance and ongoing replacement of the Town’s sanitary trunk main to ensure optimum operational efficiency and reliability of the system;
• Wi-Fi Installation at Outdoor Facilities – This will provide facility users with free Wi-Fi access at Lions Centennial Park, the ball diamonds behind the Ponoka Arena Complex and the soccer fields at Lucas Heights, which is needed to continue attracting provincial tournaments to these facilities.

“The 2026 interim budget once again focuses on investing in maintaining and upgrading key infrastructure in the community, which helps position the town to grow and thrive into the future,” said Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson in a media release. “Council worked very hard to keep property taxes as low as possible while continuing to fund key services that citizens rely on.”

The town says its budget aligns with the priorities identified by the public during its annual public consultation process, which included coffee with council events, an online budget open house and a citizen input survey.

The top three priorities identified by citizens include infrastructure, recreation, and community safety.

“Citizen input is a critical part of the budget planning process,” Ferguson added.

“I think this Interim Budget does a very good job of balancing the needs of our community while positioning Ponoka for continued growth and success.”