Whitecourt town council has approved the 2026 Interim Budget with a property tax increase of 4.45 per cent.
Council engaged in a budget debate earlier this month and directed administration to bring back a few items with more information and options to the Dec. 15 meeting, when the interim budget was passed.
During that debate, council also added the following items to the budget:
- $2,000 for additional Twinkle Tours
- $5,000 to the Library Grant to maintain board honorariums at the 2025 level
- $100,000 for Economic Initiatives with funding from the Sustainability Reserve
With these amendments, the 2026 Interim Capital and Operating Budget has been approved at $69,078,492, to be balanced with a property tax increase of 4.45 per cent. Of that, $50,957,865 is allocated for the operating budget while $18,120,627 makes up the capital budget.
Municipal tax revenue goes towards a variety of departments and services within the town, with recreation, parks and culture; roads, storm and fleet services; administration; and police, municipal enforcement and emergency management receiving the largest investments.
Compared to 2025, emergency management expenses have increased by 49.71 per cent for 2026, or by about $90,000. This is to support the rollout of the Health and Safety Policy manual and program, as well as a Certificate of Recognition (COR) audit, which is expected to contribute to the town acquiring the COR designation in 2027.
At the same time, interest, under unfunctionalized revenue, is decreasing to $713,994, down 37.77 per cent from 2025. Unfunctionalized revenue refers to revenue that isn’t allocated to one specific function, but reduces the funding required from taxation to support the budget. The town explains that the decrease in interest is due to reduced investment revenue anticipated as a result of lower interest rates and a decrease in the total value of its investments.
The interim budget was passed on Dec. 15 during a regularly scheduled meeting of council.
