Lacombe city council has approved a 2.7 per cent property tax increase along with an additional one per cent Special Paving Tax
“Lacombe city council’s approval of the 2022 operating budget aligns with council’s goal of maintaining tax increases to inflation,” Mayor Grant Creasey said. “Council looks forward to providing value to our residents while ensuring costs are kept to a minimal.
“Council realizes the one percent Special Paving Tax fall outside of our CPI (consumer price index) target. Given the need to ensure Lacombe’s roads are kept to the highest standard of quality and safety – this is a necessary step.”
The proposed budget also includes a 2.7 per cent or $89,000 increase in user fees for water services. The water rate will increase from $2.56 per cubic meter in 2021 to $2.63 per cubic meter in 2022.
Similarly, the flat utility rate will increase from $27.82 to $28.57 per month on all active accounts.
On the expenditure side, the 2022 budget includes an $85,000 increase in contract services for a contracted data analyst and a water loss assessment study.
The wastewater department’s proposed 2022 revenue and expenditure budget is approximately $43,000 less than the 2021 approved budget.
The proposed 2022 wastewater budget includes a 2.7 per cent increase in user fees.
The wastewater rate will increase from $2.75 per cubic meter in 2021 to $2.82 per cubic meter in 2022.
Similarly, the flat utility rate will increase from $20.79 to $21.35 per month on all active accounts.
The proposed 2022 budget for the solid waste department is approximately 1.4 per cent or $36,000 higher than the 2021 approved budget. A solid waste operator position was approved, increasing from a casual to a full-time position.