But, at the end of last year the County proposed an interim budget for the average ratepayer living in Camrose County expected to see an increase of approximately 4.3 per cent more in property taxes.

However, due to spending accumulated Provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding, moving some funds to new projects and alleviating operating costs, they lowered the amount of the tax increase to 3.5 per cent.

“A number of capital projects have been added to the budget since the interim budget was presented. As the MSI Grant Program has ended and the funds will expire if they are not used, administration has strategically added projects and adjusted some from using reserves to using grant funding, to use the funding before it expires,” shared administrator Teresa Gratrix.

General increases in the 2024 operating budget are due to less provincial government funding and higher overall costs of doing business.

At the regular council meeting on April 9, administrator Gratrix presented the operating and capital budgets for council’s approval. County councillors passed the budget.

“I move that Camrose County council approve the 2024 Operating Budget with a total operating revenue of $26,980,453 total operating expenses of $43,552,659 to give a total 2024 Tax Levy (operating) of $16,572,205,” said councillor Doug Lyseng.

“The goal for the 2024 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,” explained County administrator Gratrix.

Based on this budget, the expected property tax increase for residential properties will be 3.5 per cent. “The increase equates to a $49 increase for the average residential property, $31 for the average farmland property and $79 per 100,000 for non-residential properties,” 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.

County council approved the 2024 capital budget with total capital and project expenses of $9,539,865 to be funded by internal resources (sale of assets, grants, debentures or reserves) of $8,349,965 and a total capital levy of $1,189,900.

The budget committee deliberations that took place October 30 and 31 included potential 2024 capital projects and the funding for these projects. In general, Camrose County funds capital projects for equipment such as graders from taxation and sale of goods, and other projects from reserves and grants as much as is possible,” added Gratrix.

Administration was proposing the use of a debenture to finance the purchase of a mulcher. “This piece of equipment will last 10 to 12 years and will save the County an annual operating expense of $50,000 (2023 dollars). However, this cost is now covered by grant funds in the 2024 budget,” she added.