Approved Budget Summary

Operating Budget

The 2022 approved Net Municipal Tax Requirement of $117.4 million results in a 2.8 per cent municipal property tax increase. Administration has incorporated cost efficiencies, corporate adjustments and service level adjustments reducing the initial tax requirement of 7.5 to 2.8 per cent. The 2.8 per cent includes our 1.5 per cent commitment to repairing, maintaining and/or replacing (RMR) funding.

This increase relates to the City’s commitment to being fiscally responsible by reducing spending to offset declining revenues and inflationary impacts. For an average house costing $450,000, this means an increase of $105 per year.

Blue House and Clouds

$105 (2.8%) tax increase based on the average cost ($450,000) of a St. Albert home.

The actual tax rate will not be finalized until May 2022 after the assessment roll is completed.

Tax Dollars at Work

The City has worked hard to continue to exercise fiscal responsibility and minimize the financial impacts to our community, but we cannot continue to do things as we have in the past and remain sustainable at the same time. The approach for this budget involved a commitment to minimize spending and maximize revenue, and focused on reducing some service levels to re-prioritize resources while continuing to deliver those programs and services most valued by residents and businesses.

Distribution of Tax Dollars to Various Service Categories

For an average house valued at $450,000, the homeowner will see a $3,939 municipal property tax bill, an increase of $105 for 2022. The distribution of tax dollars to various service categories is illustrated below.

Pie Chart of Tax Dollars Large

Excludes Provincial Education Levy, Homeland Housing Levy and utility charges.

Environmental Sustainability: $31

Public Works: $632

Planning & Economic Development: $64

Fire Services: $609

Community & Social Development Services: $78

Recreation & Parks: $201

Transit: $391

Engineering Services: $199

Police Services: $457

Outside Agencies: $188

Culture Services: $110

Corporate Financing: $286

General Government: $693

TOTAL = $3,939

Municipal Capital Budget

The Capital Budget provides for investments in infrastructure and capital assets such as constructing, buying or maintaining assets including roads, sidewalks, buildings, vehicles, equipment and land. This portion of the budget is important for critical maintenance of existing infrastructure and the future growth of our city.

For 2022, the municipal capital plan investment by asset category is illustrated below:

Civic Facilities: $10.6M

Historical/Cultural: $0.0M

Parks & Trails: $1.6M

Roads & Other Engineered Structures: $41.7M

Land & Land Improvements: $0.3M

Master Plan, Studies & Other: $1.8M

Mobile & Other Equipment: $7.5M

45 Projects
Total: $63.5M

Utility Budget

utility capital plan investment

For 2022, the utility capital plan investment includes: 10 utility capital projects to repair, maintain or replace existing infrastructure, valued at $16.6 million.

Utility Rate

The Utility Rate funds the operating and capital costs for water, waste water, stormwater, and solid waste programs that support St. Albert’s ability to provide clean, safe drinking water to its residents, as well as protect the natural environment through waste water treatment, stormwater and solid waste management.

Green House and Clouds