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Rocky Mountain House anticipating small tax rate increases

Town has not raised tax revenues in five years
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Rocky Mountain House town council is anticipating a small residential tax rate increase for 2023.

While a final tax rate will not be set until next spring, council approved a budget that includes a 1.29 per cent residential tax revenue increase, along with a 2.92 per cent non-residential increase and a 1.78 per cent non-residential large business increase.

This will be the first property tax revenue increase in five years, says the town.

“Similar to all municipalities in Alberta, council faced rising inflation and other challenges with this budget,” said Mayor Debbie Baich. “During the service level review and budget deliberations we had lengthy discussions on how to keep both residential and non-residential rates as low as possible.

“We reviewed provincial averages and feel that a modest increase was reasonable when faced with 6.8 per cent inflation.”

Council approved the $23.8 million operating and $16.3 million capital budgets on Tuesday.

While property tax revenue has increased, Council has made no changes to utility rates. Residences with municipal solid waste collection will also receive blue bins in 2023, in response to a large number of resident requests.

In the capital budget, more than $10 million will be spent on utilities, including $7.6 million for a new wastewater treatment plant. About $2.4 million will be spent on various improvements at the Credit Union Co-op Aquatic Centre and washrooms for the splash park and $1 million for regional fire services vehicles including an aerial truck and certified bush engine.