Budget 2026 invests in roads and community safety while keeping taxes low
Sturgeon County Council has approved Budget 2026, which supports resident priorities and Council’s strategic plan. The budget focuses on maintaining competitive tax rates, delivering quality municipal infrastructure and services, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
Municipal tax rate
The approved budget includes an estimated increase in the County’s property tax rate of 0.73% for residential and farm properties, and a 3.57% increase for non-residential properties. This means that for a residential property valued at $500,000, the increase will be about $1 per month. For a business valued at $1,000,000, the increase will work out to about $33 per month.
The differential increase to non-residential properties is directly proportionate to the risk associated with non-residential appeals. The County’s non-residential tax rate remains highly competitive. The 0.73% increase applied to residential properties is amongst the lowest increase for regional and provincial municipalities and reflects Council’s continued focus on low taxes and cost-effective service delivery.
Following a comprehensive organizational efficiency review, the County generated material savings that offered the potential to hold tax rates even lower; however, due to a significant assessment appeal that threatens millions in the County’s revenue, these savings were prudently set aside as contingency funding.
“We’ve had an excellent track record of keeping taxes low in the County, and I’m pleased that this will continue particularly in the face of a significant assessment appeal,” said Mayor Alanna Hnatiw. “This budget reflects prudent planning and financial sustainability measures, enhances services for residents, and delivers generational investments in roads and other infrastructure that residents expect and rely on.”
Key investments
The budget allocates funds for several key investments that will benefit residents across the County. This includes:
Economic growth and infrastructure
- A $16.6 million provincially funded process water intake project to unlock new growth in Sturgeon County’s Industrial Heartland.
- Major road and infrastructure improvements, including:
- $6.5 million for paving Range Road 10 from Highway 37 to Pine Sands Subdivision and a $4.7 million bridge replacement.
- $3.4 million for the replacement of the Victoria Trail Bridge.
- $3.1 million for road rehabilitation of Bristol Oakes and Lower Viscount Roads.
- Intersection upgrade for the intersection of Range Road 274 and Highway 633.
- Multiple other initiatives to maintain and improve infrastructure across Sturgeon County.
Community safety
- Enhanced emergency response capacity, to ensure the County remains a leader in attending to emergency situations.
- Planning and preparation for a new fire hall in the County, pending confirmation of location.
- Improved bylaw enforcement coverage, ensuring the County meets its legislative obligations in addition to resident expectations.
- Streamlined ‘one-window’ enforcement service delivery for residents, to improve response time and coordination.
“This budget balances affordability with the need to invest in critical infrastructure and community safety,” said Mayor Alanna Hnatiw. “Our Council is proud to support these important services, which will benefit both current and future generations of County residents.”
Utility service fee increases to come
In 2026, County residents will see an increase in utility fees due to increased costs from service providers such as EPCOR (water) and Arrow Utilities (wastewater treatment). While the County’s portion of utility rates will see marginal change, there will be a 5% increase in EPCOR’s water costs, as well as a 34% increase in Arrow Utilities’ wastewater treatment costs.
For the average resident using these utility providers, this will translate into a monthly increase of about $16 (based on 22 cubic meters of water consumption). Utility rates are set to be finalized on December 9.
Additional information will be shared with ratepayers in upcoming utility bill mailouts.
Education taxes
The County collects education taxes on behalf of the Government of Alberta. Those rates make up approximately 40% of the property taxes residents pay. Education taxes are set by the Government of Alberta and collected on their behalf by municipalities. Final rates will be announced by the province closer to the 2026 provincial budget.
Learn more
Learn more about Budget 2026 and how your tax dollars are invested.
