Blackfalds’ and Lac0mbe’s proposed tax rate increases for 2017 cover a wide range.
Lacombe council approved a 3.26 per cent tax rate increase on Monday. Blackfalds went with 0.7 per cent.
Steve Christie, Lacombe mayor, said it was a “prudent and realistic budget that is responsive to the needs and preferences of our citizens, and it allows us to build for tomorrow.
“Not only will the 2017 capital projects maintain and enhance our existing infrastructure and facilities, they will develop new infrastructure to encourage economic growth.”
To cut costs, council did away with a cost-of-living increase for itself. However, police officers will get two per cent and other city employees 1.3 per cent.
Lacombe will spend $37.4 million on operations in 2017 and a $22.1 million capital budget.
In Blackfalds, Betty Quinlan, the town’s director of corporate services, says the have “kept to our goal of keeping tax increases for residents at the (consumer price index) while providing the programs, services and infrastructure support expected by our community.”
The consumer price index measures changes in the price level of a market basket of consumer goods and services purchased by households.
The town expects to spend $24.4 million on operations next year and $12 million on capital.