Cold Lake city council is moving forward with a pair of tax-related changes for 2026, including its annual tax rate bylaw and a proposed shift in how taxes on manufactured homes are collected.

Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 906-AN-26, the City’s 2026 Tax Rate Bylaw, maintaining an average 2.48 percent municipal tax increase for residential properties.

“The average residential municipal tax increase is still 2.48 percent,” administration told council.

The bylaw outlines how approximately $25.2 million in municipal taxes will be collected to support the City’s 2026 operating budget. Adjustments were also made to balance tax rates across residential, multi-family and non-residential properties.

First reading allows the bylaw to move forward, with additional readings required before final approval.

New approach proposed for manufactured home taxes

In a separate but related item, council also gave first reading to Bylaw No. 909-FN-26, which would significantly change how taxes are collected in manufactured home communities.

If approved, the bylaw would shift tax responsibility from individual homeowners to park owners, who would then recover costs through rent or other agreements.

Administration said the change is intended to simplify administration and improve tax collection.

“We would be reducing approximately 500 tax accounts to three assessment notices and three tax notices,” administration said.

The City currently has three manufactured home communities.

Council also discussed how the change could impact residents. Administration clarified that while homeowners would no longer have individual tax accounts, they would still be able to contact the City as residents, though operational issues within parks would largely be handled by park operators.

The bylaw is still in early stages and, if approved, would not take effect until January 1, 2028, to allow time for implementation.