Today, County of Grande Prairie Council adopted the 2021 interim budget with a proposed zero per cent increase to tax rates.  

The 2021 interim budget addresses the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current economic climate while maintaining essential services and programs, investing in critical roads and infrastructure, proactive planning, and supporting communities, safety, and quality of life.  

The overall $138.1 million budget includes estimated expenditures of $77.7 million for general operations and $60.4 million for capital.  

“Supporting our residents, especially during this difficult time, is our top priority,” said Reeve Leanne Beaupre. “The interim budget strikes a balance between holding the line on our tax rates to help our community and maintaining service levels and investment in critical projects and programs.”  

To minimize impacts on our citizens and businesses during this challenging time and keep tax rates flat, Council and Administration deferred some capital projects; identified efficiencies; reduced capital and operating expenses; and used reserves, provincial grants, and the projected 2020 surplus.  

A few of the services, programs and projects Council approved for 2021 include:  

  • Approximately 45 per cent of the capital budget is going towards capital road and bridge projects  
  • $6 million in recreation, community, culture, library, seniors and special needs transportation, and FCSS grants to various organizations and neighbouring municipalities as per Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework agreements  
  • $6.7 million for critical infrastructure projects to support sustainable growth, including a new water treatment plant in a new community water system for La Glace, landfill cell and leachate pond for the Clairmont Centre for Recycling and Waste Management, and to update design standards for land use planning  
  • $345,000 towards the new training facility and equipment replacements and upgrades for Regional Fire Service  

The final budget for 2021 will be released and tax rates will be finalized in spring once the province sets the property tax levy for education requisitions, and when property assessment values have been confirmed. 

Information provided by the County of Grande Prairie.