Council sets modest 2024 tax rate increase at April 23 Meeting

Slight tax rate increase still keeps residential rates among the lowest in Alberta

At the April 23, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, Lac La Biche County Council approved  2024 property tax rates, raising the residential and farm mill rate from 3.2448 mills to 3.3746 mills, an  increase in mill rate of 4%. 

For a home with an assessed value of $450,000, this will mean an increase of only $58.41 in annual municipal taxes (or $4.87 per month), while still keeping our residential rates among the lowest in Alberta. This small increase funds a variety of excellent County services that are provided free-of-charge or at  subsidized rates, and allows us to continue our work in reducing crime, attracting new investors and  development, and building our community as a Law Enforcement Training hub in Alberta. It also allows  Council to continue making significant investments in infrastructure that will directly improve all residents’  quality of life, like the McArthur Park Revitalization Project and the New Aquatics Facility at the Bold Centre. 

Additionally, rural non-residential rates are 19.0130 mills (up 1.5% from the 2023 mill rate of 18.7320) and urban non-residential rates are 10.1500 mills (a slight increase from the 2023 rate of 10 mills). 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. 

“Lac La Biche County provides top-quality service to our residents, and we keep our taxes low,” says  Mayor Paul Reutov. “Residents receive excellent value for their tax dollars. From well-maintained  roads to a variety of recreation programs, along with our efforts to set up our community for growth  with exciting new infrastructure like the New Aquatics Facility and our plans to become a law  enforcement training hub for the Province, the County will continue to attract new investment. The  foundation of any successful community requires four pillars: healthcare, education, job  opportunities, and amenities that enhance quality of life. Our budget and tax rates are setting us up  to create that strong foundation and establish the Lac La Biche County advantage.” 

“This is realistic fiscal planning, and I’m pleased that the mill rate bylaw passed to help us build a  stronger tomorrow,” says Chief Administrative Officer Manny Deol. “We’re investing in essential  services and infrastructure while maintaining financial responsibility, to build a sustainable and  thriving environment for us all.”

Tax payments are due by Tuesday, July 2, 2024.