For Immediate Release / December 16, 2025
Council Approves 3.9 Per Cent Property Tax Increase in 2026 Budget
At the December 16, 2025, Council meeting, the City’s 2026-28 Financial Plan and 2026 Budget were approved, following the budget deliberation process. This includes the 2026 Municipal and Utility Operating and Capital budgets.
Municipal Budget - The approved Municipal Budget of $230 million with a tax levy of $152 million results in an average property tax increase of $29 per year, per $100,000 assessed property value, or 3.9 per cent. For 2026, the municipal investment plan includes:
- 17 new operating budget requests, funded through reserve and new growth in the community, which have no impact on taxes and address the needs in some of the key service areas, maintain service delivery, and support projects that advance Council’s priority areas.
- 27 municipal capital charters focusing on repairing, maintaining, or replacing existing infrastructure.
- 11 capital charters that address community growth.
Utility Budget - Utility rates for 2026 were approved with an average increase of $11.38 per month or 7.0 per cent higher than in 2025. For 2026, the utility capital plan investment includes:
- 9 capital projects, focusing on repairing, maintaining and/or replacing existing utility infrastructure.
“As St. Albert grows to more than 72,000 residents, we are responding to the challenges and opportunities that come with supporting the current and upcoming needs of the community,” says Mayor Scott Olivieri. “This budget continues to strike the balance of delivering the valued programs and services that our residents rely on while planning for what comes next. We will continue to explore all opportunities to make meaningful investments, manage costs and enhance services through efficient utilization of our tax base. We want to move St. Albert forward in a responsible and affordable way and we are committed to smart, sustainable growth for our city.”
The actual tax rate will not be finalized until May 2026 after the assessment roll is completed. For more information on the approved 2026-28 Financial Plan and 2026 Budget and Budget Overview video, visit the City’s 2026 Budget web page at budget.stalbert.ca.
- 30 -Related Pages
Last edited: December 16, 2025