ATHABASCA — Property owners in Athabasca will likely notice their taxes increase this year as the town saw assessment values rise by $32 million across the board, and an eight per cent increase to education taxes from the province.
Town councillors passed the first reading of the 2025 tax rate bylaw during their April 1 meeting with a 6-0 vote — Coun. Edie Yuill was absent — complete with a 0.18 per cent tax rate increase for residential properties, and a 0.35 per cent rate increase for non-residential.
More than $12 million of expenses are predicted in the 2025 budget, and more than half — $6.2 million — will be covered by taxes, an increase of over $637,000 from last year's needed tax revenue.
Residential property assessment grew to more than $281 million in 2025, up $14.4 million from 2024, with a new mill rate of 9.39. Derelict or deserted residential properties in town, assessed at a total of $274,550, will be taxed at a 37.58 mill rate, up 0.73 mills from last year when it was first introduced.
Non-residential assessment grew to $130.3 million, an increase of $17.7 million from last years values. Commercial properties will be taxed at a mill rate of 37.58.
The new tax bylaw also came with increases to non-municipal requisitions. The municipality will collect $48,671 for the Greater North Foundation’s lodge requisition, the same as last year, but 2025’s Alberta School Fund levy jumped by eight per cent, or more than $63,800.
In an effort to restore operational funding for public schools back to previous levels, the provincial government instituted the first of a two-year tax hike in 2025.
“It’s pretty straightforward, whether you like it or not,” said Mayor Rob Balay.
“Don’t like it,” was heard from several councillors around the table.
The town’s tax rate bylaw will be back before councillors for second and potentially third reading April 15.
