The municipal tax rate in the County of Grande Prairie will not increase with the finalized 2023 municipal budget.
After a two-day discussion, council has put forward a $195.1 million budget, including $106.7 million in general operations, $81.7 million for capital budget projects, and $39.6 million to continue projects from the previous year. More than half of the capital budget will go toward road and bridge projects.
Also included in the capital spending budget is the county’s final contribution of its $10 million portion of the Highway 40 twinning and bridge construction which is $3.33 million, $2.8 million to the provincial government for RCMP policing costs, and $7 million for a regional enforcement service and RCMP detachment in the hamlet of Clairmont, the total cost of which is $25 million.
Reeve Bob Marshall says council put together the budget while trying to keep in mind and balance the impacts residents are dealing with, including significant increases in areas like utilities and general inflation.
“Despite the difficult economic climate and lost revenue from provincial changes to assessment rules, this budget reflects our commitment to infrastructure and service levels while maintaining stable tax rates.”.
Back in December the county put forward a $134.2 million tentative budget for 2023, which included $96.5 million in general operations and $37.7 million for capital budget projects.