Lacombe County council holds the line on taxes

Effective Apr.1, the province began charging all municipalities for policing costs. In 2021, municipalities are responsible for 15 per cent compared to 10 per cent in 2020. This proportion increases annually, topping out at 30 per cent after year four. Council has directed to fund the policing cost by a uniform tax rate applied against all taxable properties. This tax rate will appear on the County’s property tax notices.

County officials say education taxes represent 49 per cent of the 2021 tax bill for residential property owners and 40 per cent of the 2021 tax bill for non-residential property owners.

Based on the new rates, 2021 property taxes on a $400,000 residence in Lacombe County will be $2,115.20, increasing $19.16 from 2020. Residential property owners who experienced a decrease in the market value of their properties of greater than 2.06 per cent will see a reduction in their property taxes.

The County’s property tax payment deadline is Sept. 30.

The 2021 operating budget of $68,879,560 includes $12,460,850 in requisitions for the Lacombe Foundation requisition, designated industrial property requisition, and the Alberta Education Requisition. In addition to including the final requisition estimates, several minor changes have been made to the operating budget as part of the final approval.

Highlights of include:

Reduction of WCB costs as a result of lower premiums and Partnership In Injury Reduction rebate – ($79,270)
Inclusion of the Agriculture Services Board Resource Management Grant to reflect reinstatement of grant program – $60,000
Increase in water surface leases – $15,000;
Increase and Adjustments to the utilization of Federal and Provincial grant funds: Federal Gas Tax Fund Bridge File 1477 – $330,000
MSI Capital Paving Township Road 39-0 – $230,000
Municipal Operating Support Transfer carry forward – $187,750
Additional COVID-19 expenses funded by MOST funding – $187,750;
Increase in contribution to Lacombe Joint Economic Area – $9,560
Addition of Economic Development position and expenses – $80,820;
Increase in fuel prices – $319,750

Council also approved amendments to the $19,981,430 capital budget. Changes include:

Addition of paving of Township Road 39-0, omitted in the interim budget – $230,000;
Addition of emergency repairs on Bridge File 1477 – $330,000;
Addition of IT upgrades to Council Chambers and Joffre Room – $35,100
Addition of the Sunbreaker Cove Wastewater line – $750,000
The capital budget also included:
Road projects for 2021 – $12.6 million
Bridge projects, including both replacements and engineering – $4.4 million
Equipment and vehicle replacements – $2.2 million
Construction contribution to the Sunbreaker Cove Wastewater Project – $750,000

County officials say 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.

“The 2021 operating budget, capital budget, and municipal tax rates have been established in a manner which provides 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 holds the line on taxes

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