Brazeau County Council passes 2022 final budget

Brazeau County 2022 Final Budget offers investment and taxpayer relief

                                

BRAZEAU COUNTY, April 7, 2022 — On April 4, Brazeau County Council passed the final 2022 budget, which keeps services levels the same while offering tax relief and investment in recreation.

The balanced budget maintains the years-long freeze on municipal taxes, and for the seventh year, includes a 30% rebate for commercial businesses and for the third year, the rebate has also been applied to residential and farmland properties.

The budget also includes nearly $9.9 million in capital investment in recreation facilities, roads, equipment replacement, and other infrastructure. Projects include the installation of a boat launch at the Berrymoor campground, improvements to the ball diamonds at the Brazeau Sports Park and to the Lodgepole campground, and improvements to Township Road 485, which allows access to the horse trails. This is addition to some road improvements throughout the County. In addition to the tax rebate and investment in infrastructure, the budget leaves a healthy $13.6 million in reserves.

“Council believes the best place for taxpayers’ money is in their pockets,” says Reeve Bart Guyon. “As we have in the last several years, we are combining low taxes and fees with high levels of service, and investment in our people and our infrastructure. This formula has attracted people and investment in our County, and we want to keep the success going, so that we all benefit from a booming and diverse economy.”

Administration has found efficiencies in order to support Council’s direction not to increase taxes while maintaining service levels. Council will consider the 2022 Schedule of Fees at the April 19 meeting, and the Tax Rate Bylaw at the May 3 meeting.

Tax notice will be mailed at the end of the month, and taxes will be due June 20th. Taxes must be paid in full by the date to be eligible for the rebate.

For more information on the Interim Budget, please contact Interim Chief Administrative Officer Shawn McKerry at 780-542-7777 or smckerry@brazeau.ab.ca.