Slight increase in Lac La Biche County mill rate

At the May 9, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, Lac La Biche County Council approved 2023  property tax rates, raising the residential and farm mill rate from 3.12 mills to 3.2448 mills, an increase in  mill rate of approximately 4%. For a home with an assessed value of $450,000, this will mean an increase  of $56.16 in annual municipal taxes ($4.68 per month). 

Additionally, rural non-residential rates are 18.7320 mills (up 2% from the 2022 mill rate of 18.3647) and urban non-residential rates are 10 mills (the same rate as 2022). The tax rate determines what amount per  $1,000 of a property’s assessed value is taxable. The County’s tax bill also includes provincial requisitions  to fund education and seniors’ lodges, but these are outside the County’s control. Residents may also see  increases or decreases in their tax bills this year due to changes in their property’s assessed value,  changes to provincial requisitions, or both. 

According to the Municipal Government Act, municipalities are required to achieve a 5:1 ratio between their  highest and lowest tax rates (although there is no specific timeline for implementing this change). The  County’s ratio in 2023 will be 5.77:1, down from the 2022 ratio of 5.89:1, bringing us closer to the  provincially-mandated 5:1 ratio. 

These rates bring in tax revenues of $70,387,351. 

“Even with the small increase in residential taxes, our residents enjoy some of the best municipal programs  and services in the province at a low cost,” says Mayor Paul Reutov. “With major projects like the Main  Street Lac La Biche Revitalization Project, McArthur Park redevelopment, the aquatics centre, new lift  stations in Plamondon, and our ongoing support for rural community groups and halls, exciting changes are  coming to our community that will make living, working, and investing here even more rewarding. Council  and I are also continuing to seek ways to support existing businesses and attract new ones.” 

Payments are due by Friday, June 30, 2023. Tax notices will be mailed out on or before May 19, 2023, and  payable with a variety of methods. A 5% penalty will apply for all outstanding balances as of July 1, 2023,  and a further 7% penalty will apply after November 16, 2023.