Budget 2024

The Budget determines the level of service provided to Sturgeon County residents and taxpayers, and guides decisions on County infrastructure.

Feedback from residents and businesses is an important part of the Budget process. The budget is about setting community goals and building the infrastructure vital to the County’s growth and prosperity.

Submit your questions or comments about the Budget.

Key Priorities for Budget 2024

Keeping taxes low

Sturgeon County continues to have one of the lowest residential tax rates in the province and the business tax rate is competitive. Historically, Sturgeon has supported very conservative budgets. Over seven years, from 2017 to 2023, the County’s municipal tax rate only increased 2.69 per cent. For this same period, consumer price index (CPI), which measures inflation, increased approximately 21 per cent.

Prioritizing expenses that attract investment and support growth

Sturgeon County continues to look for ways to attract investment, which supports financial sustainability and future prosperity. Business investment is critical to Sturgeon County. More than 80 per cent of the County’s tax revenue comes from heavy industry in the Alberta Industrial Heartland, from other County industrial parks, and various businesses in the community.

Investing in key infrastructure

Key infrastructure like roads, bridges, fire and emergency equipment, and parks and trails are essential to building thriving communities. The County is investing approximately $50 million to fund this infrastructure in 2024.

Provide value for tax dollars

You work hard for your money, and we want to make sure you’re getting good value for your tax dollars.

Budget 2024

Council approved the capital and operating budgets on December 12, 2023, and set a 2.13 per cent municipal tax rate increase.

The $135.7 million budget includes a $48.6 million in capital expenditures to fund roads, bridges, and drainage work, and a $86.8 million in operating expenditures to fund day-to-day services, like fire services, snow removal, utilities and community services.

A County homeowner with a property valued at $500,000 will pay $41, or $3.41 per month, more in municipal taxes in 2024. A business owner with a business valued at $1 million will pay $229, or $19.08 per month, more in municipal taxes.

Budget Highlights

  • Tax rate increase for 2024 is 2.13 per cent. This is down from the initial proposed tax rate increase of 3.87 per cent.
  • A County homeowner with a property valued at $500,000 will pay $41 more in municipal taxes in 2024. A business owner with a business valued at $1 million will pay $229 more in municipal taxes.
  • The 2024 budget totals $135.7 million.
    • The nearly $50 million in capital expenditures will fund roads, bridges, and drainage work in 2024. Transportation infrastructure is the largest expense for Sturgeon County.
      • We’ll undertake significant rehabilitation work along Lamoureux Drive, Range Road 223, the interior road of Cardiff Park, and Township Road 564.
      • We’ll upgrade Township Road 570, Range Road 220, Range Road 232, Range Road 251, and Range Road 260. These high-volume gravel roads will be reconstructed, addressing drainage and safety concerns.
    • The $86.8 million in operating expenditures will fund day-to-day municipal services.
  • More than 80 per cent of the County’s tax revenue comes from heavy industry in the Alberta Industrial Heartland, from other County industrial parks, and various businesses in the community.

We are investing:

  • More than $1.8 million to build, maintain and grow our parks, trails, and natural green spaces.
  • $3.1 million in our utility infrastructure, with $1.6 million for water and $1.5 million for wastewater services.
  • $41,000 for enhanced cyber security insurance coverage which would mitigate financial impacts of a cybersecurity incident.
  • $1.8 million to construct a roundabout at Sturgeon Road and Range Road 250, which is one of our busiest intersections.
  • $45,000 for a communications audit, to ensure Sturgeon County can communicate with residents in the most effective way possible.
  • $1.6 million for 14.3 full-time positions to help the County serve residents better. Positions include a social worker, development compliance officer, animal control officer and full-time firefighters.
  • $4 million to reduce debt, which results in significant savings by not having to pay interest.
  • $500,000 to fund snow removal, gravel road improvements and potential equipment needs.
  • $1.5 million is allocated toward capital investments for major initiatives in the Sturgeon County portion of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland to support and attract long-term growth. These investments support a stronger tax base for the community, competitive tax rates and long-term financial sustainability.

Making Sense of the Budget

Each December, Council approves an operating and capital budget. The County uses a multi-year capital budget plan to help guide forecasting and procurement needs. The operating budget is approved annually, and it accounts for the day-to-day operations of the municipality.

In April or May, the County’s tax rate bylaw is approved. It includes the provincial requisitions for education and seniors housing. The final budget, including these requisitions, determines the tax rates for the County.

When does Council approve the budget?

Council approves an operating and capital budget each December. The budget determines the level of services provided to residents and businesses, and guides decisions about infrastructure improvements. The final budget determines the proposed tax rates.

Council approves the tax rate bylaw in late spring, once assessment is finalized and the provincial requisition amounts for education and senior housing are known. At this time, an adjusted tax rate may be proposed.

What is an operating budget?

An operating budget plans for the costs of the day-to-day activities you rely on, such as fire services, snow removal, utilities, community services and agricultural programs. These services are mostly funded through tax dollars.

The operating budget also includes provincial requisitions collected on behalf of the Government of Alberta.

The operating budget is approved each year.

What is a capital budget?

A capital budget plans for major fixed assets, like vehicles, buildings, bridges and roads. The County has a three-year capital budget, so it can better plan for these larger expenses.

Sturgeon County passed its first multi-year capital budget for 2023 to 2025. The multi-year capital budget is reviewed annually. For 2024 and 2025, the capital budget was amended to include several key priority projects for the community.

How does the budget impact my taxes?

Taxes fund municipal services, like road maintenance, utilities, fire services, recreation, snow removal, and more. The final budget outlines the tax dollars needed to fund these services, and this amount is used to set the tax rate.

To determine how much money is collected from each property owner, the County relies on property assessment. Property assessment assigns a dollar value to each property.

Once the tax rate and assessed property value is set, we can calculate your taxes using the following formula:

Assessed property value X current tax rate = taxes due

It’s important to note that your tax bill includes funds the County must collect on behalf of the provincial government. These provincial requisitions account for roughly 40 per cent of your property tax bill.

Why does the County collect taxes for the province?

Sturgeon County must collect provincial requisitions on behalf of the Government of Alberta. These funds support the provincial education system, rural policing services, and the Heartland Housing Foundation which provides seniors support services.

The provincial government determines the amount of money that needs to be collected. Requisitions typically make up roughly 40 per cent of your property tax bill.

Related Pages

Sturgeon County offices will be closed for Monday, October 14. County offices and facilities will re-open Tuesday, October 15 for regular business hours 8:30AM - 4:30PM.

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