Red Deer County council approved its three-year budget on Tuesday.
The operating budget for 2022 was set at $57.2 million and the capital budget is at $21.1 million.
The operating is up from a projected $53.6 million in 2021. But the capital budget is less than half of the 2021 budget of $44.9 million.
About $33.3 million will be spent on roads and other infrastructure next year, including $4.2 million for bridge repair and replacement and $3 million for a small roads program.
Council also pencilled in $1 million for trail development, $5 million for its rural broadband initiative and just over $2 million as a capital contribution for the Red Deer Regional Airport. All three are subject to further council consideration.
County director of corporate services Heather Surkan said the county is expecting to make more money from land sales next year as the economy improves and improving oil and gas prices may drive more development.
In 2023, the operating budget is expected to be $53.9 million and the capital budget $16.9 million. In 2024, $54.2 million is earmarked for operating spending and just under $19.1 million for capital projects.