After further consideration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current economic climate in Alberta, County of Grande Prairie Council has decided to apply the 2019 surplus of $1.15 million to the 2020 budget, resulting in a 1.2 per cent decrease to the municipal tax rate.

“The interim budget we passed in December included a one per cent increase, but things have changed substantially since then,” said Reeve Leanne Beaupre. “As it stands now, we know even a small increase would be difficult for our community, so we have reduced the budget, with a 1.2 per cent decrease to the municipal portion of property taxes. We hope this, combined with the waiving of penalties for late payments from June 30 to October 31, will help reduce the challenges many of our residents and businesses may be experiencing.”

While some services, programs and events have been delayed, suspended or cancelled this year, the County continues to move forward on critical projects, essential programs and services such as maintaining and investing in roads and infrastructure; community safety; family, community and social support services; and agriculture programs.

“We have found ourselves in unchartered territory dealing with the impacts from the COVID- 19 pandemic,” said Beaupre. “I commend Council for their leadership and Administration for their hard work on following best practices to balance fiscal responsibility while ensuring essential services are maintained during this particularly difficult time of unpredictability. The County will continue to find ways to get through this difficult time and minimize the impacts to our community.”

The $149.5 million budget includes estimated expenditures of $78.4 million for general operations and $71.1 million for capital, 58 per cent of which is being allocated to capital road projects. This equates to a two per cent increase in operations and eight per cent decrease in capital expenditures from 2019. Measures to reduce the budget include not proceeding with proposed new hires and implementing additional cost-saving measures while ensuring essential services are maintained.

The overall 2019 taxable assessment increased by $444.3 million (5 per cent increase over 2018).  An average residential property valued at $435,000 will pay a total of $2,851 per year in municipal taxes – $1,773 for the municipal services portion plus $1,078 in requisitions for Provincial Education and the Seniors Foundation. Municipal taxes may vary based on individual property assessments and changes to the market value.  The 2019 surplus of $1.15 million represents less than 1 per cent of the County’s total budget, and results from departmental cost savings.