The Town of Blackfalds has approved their 2023 operating budget which will result in a tax increase of 4.7 per cent for 2023.  

In developing the budget, Council and Administration focused on the current economic outlook and balancing costs with service levels that the citizens of Blackfalds have come to expect. 

“Our Council and administration have worked very hard since the beginning of the budget deliberation to find reductions in our costs, and we are pleased with the results. We have kept the property tax increases to 0.6% over the last three years, but the realities this year with significant increases mean that we will have an increase in 2023,” he explained. “Our residents want services to remain similar to 2022, and we believe we have achieved that balance in the upcoming year.” 

Director of Corporate Services, Justin de Bresser, explained that considering the current economic outlook and higher costs, including policing costs that represent 3.8% of the tax increase alone, along with other factors faced by our residents, the current budget is not sustainable without an increase.

“After working through the adjustments from the most recent budget workshop, Administration was able to balance the 2023 Budget with a tax increase of 4.7%,” de Bresser presented. 

Council approved the Operating Budget of $31,313,264.00.