Lacombe County Council Approves $109M Budget with 3.35% Residential Tax Cut
Lacombe County Council has approved a $109.3 million total budget for 2026, headlined by a property tax rate reduction for residential owners. The plan, finalized during the November 25 meeting, includes $80.3 million for operations and $29 million for capital projects.
Tax Rates and Assessment Growth
Residential property owners will see a 3.35% reduction in their municipal tax rate. This move is intended to offset rising property values; overall county assessments are projected to increase by 5.73% due to new construction and market inflation.
Farmland and non-residential tax rates will remain flat with a 0% increase. Council directed administration to minimize draws from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve, which will remain untouched at $5.05 million to balance this year's books.
$29 Million Capital Investment
The 2026 Capital Budget is up $425,260 from last year. Roadwork remains the largest expense, with $16.8 million allocated for infrastructure. This includes 17.6 kilometers of gravel road reconstruction and 41.7 kilometers of paving projects.
Major capital projects for 2026 include:
* Tees Truck Fill Station: $3,000,000 (carried over from 2025).
* Gull Lake Trail Construction: $2,500,000.
* Bridge Replacements: $2,349,870 for three projects.
* Financial Software: $500,000 to replace the current system, which Microsoft will stop supporting in 2029.
* Fire Equipment: $750,000 to replace the Clive water tender.
Utilities and Hamlet Services
Residents in the Hamlet of Mirror will see utility adjustments. Wastewater fixed fees will rise by 3%, while consumption rates increase by 5%. Mirror's water fees will also see a 2% fixed-fee hike.
In the Aspelund Industrial Park, water and sewer consumption rates are set to increase, though total revenue estimates were adjusted downward after a review of actual usage by the Dairy Innovation West facility. The county is also moving forward with a $750,000 storm pond design for North Aspelund.
Fire Services and Staffing
Council approved $77,500 to fund a new position within the Fire Services department. This addition was previously reviewed during the November 13 salary and wage meeting.
Spending on fire apparatus is expected to spike in the coming years. Transfers to the Fleet and Equipment Reserve increased by over $709,000 this year to account for the rising market costs of fire trucks and specialized emergency gear.
Long-Term Reserves and Forecasts
Lacombe County’s total reserves are expected to drop from $92.8 million to $87.6 million by the end of 2026 as the county self-funds over half of its capital program.
A 2027–2029 operating forecast was received for information, assuming 2% annual tax increases in those years. However, officials noted that maintaining utility systems is becoming more difficult, with some systems currently projected to run in a deficit until more users hook up to the lines.
Citizen Input and Debate
No residents spoke during the public portion of the meeting, and no additions were made to the agenda. While most motions passed unanimously, the main 2026 Operating Budget passed with a standard majority rather than a unanimous vote. No specific councilor dissent was recorded in the minutes regarding the final figures.
What’s Next
These approvals authorize the county to begin spending on January 1, 2026. This is the first of a two-stage process. Council will meet again in April or May 2026 to pass the formal Tax Rate Bylaw once final provincial assessment data and school requisition requirements are confirmed.