Following approval of the Interim Budget in December 2025, Council will consider the 2026 Adopted Operating Budget and 3-Year Operating Plan at its March 10, 2026, meeting.
Approval of the Adopted Budget is a required step under the Municipal Government Act to formally confirm the 2026 Interim Operating Budget and enables Council to consider the 2026 Tax Rate Bylaw in April.
Following reconciliation of the Interim Budget, Administration incorporated several technical updates, including adjustments to base calculations and confirmations of previously approved items. These updates ensure accuracy and alignment with Council direction and do not independently increase property taxes.
The reconciliation updates include:
- Adjustments to base expense calculations to ensure alignment with year end financial data
- Confirmation of carry forward funding for previously approved one-time projects
- Technical updates related to the Downtown Business Association
- Inclusion of a vacancy provision not reflected in the Interim total calculation
- A minor correction to provincial grant in place of taxes funding
As part of budget debate in December, Council expressed a desire to keep the municipal property tax increase below four percent. After incorporating the reconciled figures, the fully balanced budget results in a 4.08 percent increase.
The report therefore presents two options for Council’s consideration:
- Option 1 includes an additional $200,000 reduction to align with a 3.97 percent municipal property tax increase (as approved in the Interim Budget).
- Option 2 adopts the budget as reconciled, resulting in a 4.08 percent municipal property tax increase.
“We know residents pay close attention to property taxes,” said Tricia Hercina, Executive Director, Corporate Performance and Supports. “The Adopted Budget ensures the final figures are reconciled and transparent before the tax bylaw is brought forward. That clarity is essential to maintaining public trust in how municipal dollars are managed.”
The 2027–2029 Operating Plan is also included for Council’s review in principle, as required by legislation.
The full Council agenda and report are available at meetings.reddeer.ca