The City of Lacombe has approved their Operating Budget and Capital Budget for 2024 as well as their 10-year Capital Plan.  

2024 Operating Budget 

City of Lacombe residents will see taxes increase by 3.75 per cent.  

The 3.75 per cent tax rate increase helps offset the increasing expenses in various areas including:  

  • 1 per cent for sustainable road maintenance (with increased funds contributed to the Roads Reserve); 
  • 0.74 per cent for new debt servicing costs linked to the new Public Works Facility;  
  • 0.81 per cent to support service level enhancements;  
  • and 1.2 per cent for all other net expenditure changes 

Total service level enhancements for 2023 amount to $140,216 and include:  

  • Snow Removal Service Level Increase - $62,000  
  • Community Agencies Incremental Funding Approvals - $38,516  
  • Additional Weekend Outdoor Ice Surface Clearing - $16,000  
  • Capital Project Public Engagement - $10,000  
  • New Trail Benches - $5,000  
  • Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP) Operating Costs - $5,000  
  • Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Membership - $3,700 

“This budget balances the needs and expectations of our residents and businesses, while addressing the challenges of inflation, growth, and infrastructure renewal. The Budget represents Council's ongoing commitment to keeping tax increases at or below inflation. We appreciate the input we received from the public throughout the budget process, and we look forward to implementing these initiatives in the coming year,” said Lacombe Mayor Grant Creasey.  

The 2023 Budget process started in June 2023, with Council participating in Budget Workshop sessions in October 2023. Suggestions for the Budget are accepted year-round online here.  

2024 Capital Budget

The 2024 Capital Budget includes 20 projects at the anticipated cost of $9.2 million.  

The Budget funding sources include: $3.35 million from grant funding, $4.53 million from reserve fund withdrawals, $870,000 from other sources, and $450,000 from debentures. 

Key projects in the Capital Budget include:  

  • New Fire Hall 2024 contribution - $2.25 million ($5 million total cost)  
  • Fire Engine Replacement 2024 contribution - $450,000 ($1 million Total Cost)  
  • Fire Ladder Truck Replacement 2024 contribution - $500,000 ($2 million Total Cost)  
  • 2024 Capital Works Program - $1.87 million  
  • Elizabeth Lake Stabilization - $335,000  
  • Highway 12/2A Intersection Upgrade - $200,000  
  • Kinsmen Aquatic Centre Facility Upgrades - $86,000  
  • Lacombe Memorial Centre Facility Replacements/Upgrades 2024 - $165,000 
  • Kinsmen Aquatic Centre Chlorination Upgrades- $250,000  
  • Playground replacements at Westview Park and Popow’s Kinsmen Park - $300,000  
  • 49C Avenue Redevelopment (Downtown Area Redevelopment & Urban Design Plan Infrastructure Implementation) - $850,000  

Council elected not to include City Hall renovations, a new waterslide at the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre and paving improvements at the Lacombe Regional Airport in the 2024 Capital Budget. 

A full list of projects included in the Capital Budget can be found by clicking here and finding the the November 14, 2023, Council Agenda. 

“The Budget reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and supports our strategic priorities. I want to thank our staff and the public for their input and feedback on the Budget, which helped us make informed and balanced decisions for the benefit of our community,” said Creasey.  

2024-2033 Capital Plan 

The estimated total capital expenditures represented in the 2024-2033 Capital Plan are $80.1 million. Sources include:  

  • Debentures - $8.6 million  
  • Grants - $22.2 million  
  • Outside Sources - $4.1 million  

Reserve Withdrawals - $45 million The plan also identifies potential funding sources, including third-party contributions, debenture borrowing, grants and reserve contributions. 

The first year of the Capital Plan is the 2024 Capital Budget, which authorises capital expenditures. The remaining nine years (2025-2033) are for planning and do not authorize capital spending. The plan meets provincial and federal requirements for multi-year capital planning.  

Significant projects in the 10-year Capital plan include:  

  1. Fire Station Building - (2023 - $0.5 million, 2024 - $2.25 million, 2025 - $2.25 million) – Total Cost $5 million  
  2. Fire Ladder Truck Replacement – (2023 - $0.2 million, 2024 - $0.5 million, 2025 - $1.3 million) - Total Cost $2 million  
  3. Roads Renewal Program - Capital Works – (2025 - 2033) - Total Cost $16.2 million  
  4. New Water Pumphouse - (2025 - $0.1 million, 2026 - $1.0 million, 2028 $5.0 million, 2029 $5.6 million) – Total Cost $11.7 million  

The 10-year Capital Plan is updated every year during the annual Budget process.