In the proposed interim budget, the average ratepayer living in Camrose County can expect to see an increase of approximately three per cent more in property taxes next year.

Tax levy increases in the 2025 interim budget are due to less provincial government funding and higher overall costs of doing business.

What does that mean for the average ratepayer?  This interim budget projects tax rate increases of five per cent for farmland (same as last year), three per cent for residential and linear (2024 increase was 3.5 per cent) and two per cent for non-residential and M&E (2024 increase was 3.25 per cent).

At the regular council meeting on Dec. 10, administrator Teresa Gratrix presented the operating and capital budgets for council’s approval. County councillors passed the interim budget, which is subject to change until next spring.

“I move that Camrose County council approve the 2025 Operating Interim Budget with a total operating revenue (not including taxes) of $23,118,461, total operating expenses of $39,700,401 to give a total estimated 2025 Tax Levy (operating) of $16,581,939,” said councillor Carlene Wetthuhn.

“The goal for the 2025 budget was to maintain a high level of municipal service to our ratepayers, given the current social and economic climate, based on council’s strategic direction and priority based budgeting principles. The 2025 interim budget reflects estimates based on assessment data for the 2024 final budget and subsequent changes implemented by the provincial government,” explained County administrator Gratrix.

“During March 2025, administration will prepare the final budget for Council approval following the release of the final 2024 assessment data and the inclusion of any adjustments to provincial requisitions for the Alberta School Foundation. The total Operating Levy is very similar to the 2024 levy (within $10,000),” she added.

Based on this proposed budget, the expected property tax increase will be about three per cent subject to change at the final budget stage.

“This would equate to a little more than $64 increase for the average residential property, $29 for the average farmland property and $97 per $100,000 for non-residential properties. This is based on 2024 assessment numbers, which the County expects will increase—potentially lowering the property tax rate at the final budget stage,” said administrator Gratrix.

At the budget meetings department managers recommended to the budget committee several changes or alternatives to services delivery and identified areas where efficiencies can be implemented.

“The final 2025 budget will be brought back to council at the end of March. Administration will prepare the final budget for council approval following the release of the final 2024 assessment data and finalization of the Education Requisition.”

County council approved the 2025 interim capital budget with total capital and project expenses of $9,671,923 to be funded by internal resources (sale of assets, grants, debentures or reserves) of $8,596,423 and a total capital levy of $1,075,500.

Passing of an interim operations budget (MGA Section 242(2)) will allow operations to continue for the portion of the year up until the final budget has been passed by council, at which time the interim budget will cease to have any effect.

“It is important to note that this interim budget includes estimates of Education Tax amounts, LGFF Operating Funds and County Assessment Numbers. These items could impact the final budget and change the expected tax rate increases,” shared Gratrix.

Budget Committee deliberations took place on October 21 and November 18 in which council received information from departments and community groups regarding items in the 2025 budget.

New services/initiatives included in the 2025 operating budget include additional economic development spending grants and videography; changes to the County GPS software system; upgrades to a number of small capital items such as picnic tables, transfer site bins; Round Hill playground re-surfacing; upgrades to the Round Hill Fire Hall such as interior wall finishes and overhead doors.

Budget stressors affecting Camrose County in 2025 are carbon tax increases affecting utility expenses; salary and wage increases; benefit plan increases (six per cent); library contribution increases (five per cent) and election expenses.

“These negative impacts are mitigated by operating funds freed up by the retirement of County debt,” shared Gratrix.