Wetaskiwin City Council unanimously approved the 2025 operating budget during its Monday, January 13, regular meeting. The 2025 capital budget was approved Monday, September 23, 2024.
The 2025 operating and capital budgets total $54,579,268.
The operating budget covers the City’s costs for programs and services — e.g., maintenance of roads and facilities, parks, recreation, police and fire services —and totals $50,341,488.
The capital budget was approved at $4,237,780 and covers new purchasing, construction, and replacement of assets, including roads, neighbourhood and alley renewal, and facilities.
“This budget is a testament to the hard work and collaboration between our Council, City employees, and residents,” said Deputy Mayor Karen Aberle.
“The budget was affected by several factors out of the City's control — especially increases brought on by the RCMP contract. Those increases alone would have amounted to a nine per cent tax increase, but the City’s departments worked to find reductions and efficiencies to bring that rate down while still adequately funding police services and the additional hiring of two new community peace officers.
“Through Council deliberations and public consultations, we believe we’ve developed a budget that allows the City to continue to provide for the services the community expects and lay the foundation for future growth.”
Based on the adjustment of 6.52 per cent, for every $100,000 of assessment, residential property owners would see an increase of approximately $5.81/month, or $69.78 annually.
For non-residential properties, the estimated increase is about $11.63/month, or $139.55 annually.
The 2025 budget supports objectives found in the City’s guiding strategic documents: the 50-Year Community Vision, 2022–2032 Council Strategic Plan, and the 2023–2026 Corporate Business Plan.
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