BRAZEAU COUNTY, April 1, 2026 — On March 31, Brazeau County Council passed the final 2026 budget.
The final budget maintains the years-long freeze on municipal taxes. Fees, which were limited to zero or to minimal levels in previous years, are not set to increase. A 20% tax incentive will be applied to all residential and farmland properties on the municipal portion if taxes are paid before June 30th; the 10th year of the incentive offered to residents. The budget also includes $7.6 million in capital investment in roads, equipment replacement, and other infrastructure.
“We have found a balance between reducing the operating budget, investing in capital projects, and keeping more money in ratepayers’ pockets with the tax incentive,” says Reeve Bart Guyon. “Although there was a lobby effort to maintain a 30% tax incentive, Council approved a 20% incentive for 2026.”
“We have prioritized critical infrastructure projects to keep our county moving and thriving, and have put almost $3 million into targeted reserves for use in the future.”
Infrastructure investments and other initiatives include:
• Rehabilitation of the Brazeau Dam spillway bridge
• Rehabilitation of the Lindale bridge
• Reconstruction and replacement of Township Road 495 between Range Roads 71 and 73
• Playground resurfacing and shower house replacement at Pihtokwe campground
• Electrical upgrades at Willey West campground
• Increased funding to the Drayton Valley and Breton libraries
• Grant matching funding for the replacement of the boiler at Lodgepole Hall
• Equipment replacement
Due to an increase in the school tax requisition, Brazeau County must collect $1.8 in additional taxes on behalf of the provincial government. The school tax is not set by Brazeau County, and the money is not available to the county; it is sent to the province.
For more information on the Final Budget, please contact Chief Administrative Officer Rudy Friesen at 780-542-7777 or rfriesen@brazeau.ab.ca.