WESTLOCK COUNTY – The Westlock County Council met on April 8 and was presented with three options to consider for mill rates by Faraja Amanda, General Manager of Corporate Services.
“Administration received the 2025 taxation assessment, and overall, we have an increase of 10.39 per cent in our assessment,” said Amanda.
“Part of that is from annexation, with a land increase of 9.2 per cent and a non-residential increase of 16.88 per cent.”
The increase in assessment equals an increase in tax revenue. Amanda presented ddministration’s three rate options for council’s consideration.
Option one is a conservative approach, proposing a five per cent decrease in the mill rate. This would result in $12.2 million in tax revenue—an increase of $669,091.
This first option aligns with the strategic goal of being comparable in rates to neighbouring municipalities.
Option two is a moderate approach that keeps the 2024 mill rate the same, providing $12.7 million in tax revenue—an increase of $1.1 million.
This helps mediate the fluctuations associated with increasing or decreasing mill rates.
Option three is a progressive approach aimed at mitigating inflation by increasing the mill rate by one per cent overall.
This option would generate $12.8 million in tax revenue—an increase of $1.3 million.
Westlock County councillors discussed their views on the options.
Reeve Christine Weise favoured option one, emphasizing putting residents first, maintaining the legislated 5:1 tax ratio, and calling it a major accomplishment for Council and Administration.
Deputy Reeve Ray Marquette also supported option one, noting that it still results in increased revenue.
While considering the options, he questioned whether there was a desire to punish residents for building.
Coun. Sherri Provencal also preferred option one, citing uncertainty over the impact of tariffs and expressing a desire to provide relief to residents if possible.
Coun. Issac Skuban supported option one, acknowledging the increase in assessments as a sign of growth in the County—a positive development.
He also supported aligning mill rates with other municipalities while recognizing the Province’s continued downloading of requisitions.
Coun. Jared Stitsen personally recommended option one. He said a rate increase on top of rising assessments could result in a “double-whammy” for residents.
He added that due to good financial management, there is a substantial surplus, and there has been no need to draw from reserves.
The final decision on the 2025 mill rate is expected at the Westlock County Council meeting on April 22.
