Lacombe County council adopts 2019 interim budgets

According to County officials, the two per cent property tax rate increase represents an additional $20.04 in taxes on a $400,000 residential property.

“Lacombe County Council voted to approve a budget for 2019 that recognizes the challenges and uncertainty that Alberta has faced since the economic downturn started – from a municipal, ratepayer, and industry perspective,” said County Manager Tim Timmons in a press release. “Less spending and smarter spending was our focus, and is the path we will continue down for the foreseeable future.”

The 2019 interim capital budget, which provides for revenues and expenditures of $15.8 million, is said to be $13.1 million lower than last year’s budget.

Highlights of the capital budget include carry-over funding to extend water and wastewater services from the City of Lacombe to County lands west of the QEII, including the Wildrose Industrial Park, construction and rehabilitation of 19 kilometers of local roads ($4.5 million) and decreases in road projects ($12.2 million), bridge projects ($137,750), equipment/vehicle replacements ($676,410) and recreation projects ($158,400).

“While it’s important to maintain service levels and to consider the County’s future sustainability, we recognized the challenges faced by our municipality and municipalities around Alberta,” adds County Reeve Paula Law. “Council felt this budget will balance the reality of the uncertainties around managing a municipality with the expectations of our ratepayers.”

While the interim operating and capital budgets are approved in December of each year, County officials point-out the final budgets and tax rates are not set until the following spring, when the property tax levy for education purposes is set by the Province and property assessment values have been confirmed.

by rdnewsNOW staff

Lacombe County council adopts 2019 interim budgets

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