Rocky Council adopts balanced 2026 budget with focus on infrastructure and growth – CentralAlbertaOnline.com

Rocky Mountain House town council has adopted a balanced 2026 operating budget of nearly $29.8 million, along with a $5.46-million capital plan aimed at maintaining services while investing in key infrastructure and community priorities.

Council approved the budget at its Dec. 16, 2025 regular meeting. The plan includes a 2.87 per cent increase in property tax revenue and outlines spending priorities for the coming year and beyond.

“Council is proud to have passed its first budget,” Mayor Shane Boniface said in a statement. “The year ahead will see the continuation of municipal services that our community expects, and capital investment in infrastructure that our residents want and need.”

The 2026 operating budget totals $29,761,807 and continues to emphasize economic growth through development incentives and the rural renewal stream program. Council has also budgeted for one new position, partially funded by the province pending approval of a Municipal Intern grant. The cost of governance is forecast at $498,740, representing 1.7 per cent of the overall operating budget.

The approved capital budget totals $5,455,550. Major projects include completion of the new wastewater treatment plant, replacement of the town’s financial software system, a redesigned municipal website, and development of an engineering plan for the Riverview Concept area to support future affordable residential development. Council also approved continued investment in wayfinding signage focused on the active district around the Rocky Regional Recreation Centre and nearby recreation amenities.

In addition, council has allocated $3.6 million for transportation, airport and utility projects. Planned work includes construction of a new quonset at the public works yard, final paving lifts in the industrial area, the purchase of a runway sweeper, and replacement of water, sewer and road infrastructure at 49 Street and 40 Avenue.

Recreation, parks and culture will see a $900,000 investment in 2026. Projects include playground upgrades, construction of an outdoor washroom near the new bike park, roofing repairs at the arena complex, and continued development of multipurpose trails.

Two projects from 2025 will be carried forward and reconfigured. Funding previously allocated for civic building design and recreation centre expansion concepts has been combined, with $300,000 now earmarked to complete concept drawings for a combined civic and recreation centre expansion.

One of the key challenges identified in the 2026 budget is the increased cost of wastewater treatment. Rocky Mountain House’s new wastewater treatment plant is expected to come online in early 2026, adding approximately $1 million annually in operating costs to meet updated provincial environmental regulations.

All municipal utilities operate on a cost-recovery basis, meaning rates reflect the actual cost of service delivery and are not subsidized by property taxes. As a result of the new plant, council approved adjustments to water and wastewater base and consumption rates. The largest increase will be to the wastewater base rate, while a modest increase will apply to bulk water pricing. The average residential household using about 14 cubic metres of water per month is expected to see an increase of roughly $10 on its utility bill.

The 2.87 per cent overall tax increase is expected to generate an additional $415,323 in property tax revenue in 2026, including taxation from new assessment and reduced commercial taxation resulting from development incentives. Final property tax rates will be set in the spring once the updated assessment roll is received, but the average single-family residential property owner can expect to pay about $80 more per year, or $6.67 per month.

As part of the budget process, council also approved a five-year operating plan and a 10-year capital plan to support long-term financial sustainability and infrastructure planning.