Expect to see some prices rise next year.
On Tuesday (Dec. 13) Fort Saskatchewan city council approved the 2023 budget during their regular council meeting.
The operating budget includes an expected 3.05 per cent property tax increase.
“Council approved budget while facing unprecedented inflationary pressures," said Mayor Gale Katchur. "Our goal was to ensure existing programs and all services are maintained at the high level our citizens have come to expect while keeping the property tax increase to a minimum."
Some major projects that were approved include:
- Widening Veteran's Way Corridor
- Upgrades to water, sewer, sidewalks, and roadways.
- Smart intersection system for traffic light control for emergency vehicles on the highway.
User fees saw a lot of increases.
Curbside waste service has increased from $26.81 to $28.25 per month.
User fees for water/sewer connections have risen to $410 from $385.
Admission into the Dow Centennial Center has also gone up, but not by much. In 2022 cost for a single-child admission was $4.71. Next year it's expected to go up five cents to $4.76.
Public transit costs were unaffected by the changes.
As for property taxes, the council is scheduled to approve the 2023 Property Tax Bylaw and tax rates in May, and the 3.05 per cent is an estimation.
The city’s operating budget's revenue sources include property taxes, utility rates, fines, user fees, grants, and investment income. Capital projects are funded through capital reserves and external grants.
The operating budget was approved at $89,370,394, while the capital budget was approved at $21,106,800, making for a total of well over $100 million.