Proposed 2026 Budget Summary

Proposed Operating Budget

The 2026 Proposed Operating Budget results in a $151.9 million tax levy, which represents a tax increase of 3.9 per cent.

This increase is required to deliver current programs and services to the community while responding to community growth. A property will see an average increase of about $29 per year for every $100,000 of assessed value.

Blue House and Clouds

$29 (3.9%) tax increase per $100,000 assessed value of a St. Albert home.
Note: percentage shown has been rounded to the nearest decimal point.

The actual tax rate will not be finalized until May 2026 after the assessment roll is completed.

Tax Dollars at Work

The annual budget is being built to maintain over 150 services at Council approved service levels, including snow removal, trail maintenance, transit, and recreation programs. Administration continues to optimize service delivery to ensure community needs are met in the most efficient manner.

Proposed Distribution of Tax Dollars to Various Service Categories

Residents will pay an average of $890 per $100,000 in assessed value on their property tax bill, or an increase of $29 for 2026. The distribution of tax dollars to various service categories is illustrated below.

Pie Chart of Tax Dollars 2026

The chart above excludes Provincial Education Levy, Homeland Housing Levy and utility charges.

Public Operations: $150

Library: $28

Fire Services: $116

Family & Community Support Services: $11

Recreation & Parks: $44

Transit Services: $79

Environmental Sustainability: $7

Arts & Heritage: $12

General Government: $173

Corporate Financing: $74

Culture Services: $20

Police Services: $118

Planning & Engineering Services: $58

TOTAL = $890

Proposed 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 2026, the proposed municipal capital plan investment by asset category is illustrated below:

Civic Facilities: $10.4 M

Historical/Cultural: $0.3 M

Parks & Trails: $2.4 M

Roads & Other Engineered Structures: $17.3 M

Land & Land Improvements: $0.0 M

Master Plan, Studies & Other: $1.5 M

Mobile & Other Equipment: $13.9 M

34 Projects
Total: $45.7 M

Proposed Utility Budget

Utility Rate

The utility rates fund the operating and capital costs for water, wastewater, 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 wastewater treatment, stormwater and solid waste management.

Green House and Clouds

$12.98 (7.9%) rate increase based on the typical monthly household utility bill ($176.49).

Proposed Distribution of Utility Bill

The proposed typical monthly bill for 2026 is $176.49, an increase of 7.9 per cent from the prior year. This is based on a single family residence using 16 m3 (water, wastewater and stormwater) and 240L container option for solid waste. The allocations of monthly rates are as follows:

Solid Waste: $29.32