Media Advisory: Morinville Council approves 2026–2028 Operating Budget and 2026–2035 Capital Plan - Investing in core services, infrastructure and growth

Media Release
For Immediate Release             
November 19, 2025
         

Morinville Council approves 2026–2028 Operating Budget and 2026–2035 Capital Plan - Investing in core services, infrastructure and growth

Morinville, Alta. – At its November 18, 2025, meeting, Morinville Council approved the 2026–2028 Operating Budget and the 2026–2035 Capital Budget, continuing Morinville’s focus on strong financial planning, fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability.

The approved budgets maintain current services at Council-directed levels, respond to growth and inflationary pressures, and increase investment in core municipal infrastructure, while keeping the 2026 municipal tax increase to 2.48%. For the average residential property owner, this represents an estimated $13.62 monthly increase on the municipal portion of the property tax levy.

“This budget strikes a balance between being financially responsible and making the kinds of investments residents expect from a growing community,” said Mayor Simon Boersma. “We are maintaining service levels, investing in core infrastructure and neighbourhood safety, and planning responsibly for Morinville’s future.”

The 2026 Operating Budget largely represents a continuation of current services, with a disciplined approach to spending and strategic investment in service delivery. Increases are primarily limited to:

• Needs-based operating initiatives – totaling approximately $508,285 to ensure existing services can continue at current levels, in areas where workloads, inflation or regulatory pressures have created gaps.
  
  
• Value-added operating initiatives – targeted enhancements that support quality of life and community priorities, including:
  • State of Morinville event – increase of $5,000 to help share progress and future directions with the community.
  • Morinville Leisure Centre (MLC) hours of operation – revised hours to remain open to 10 p.m., improving access for families, workers and user groups while resulting in a net decrease of $25,300 to the operating budget.
  • Festival Days Pedestrian Parade – increase of $9,600 to support a safer, pedestrian focused community celebration.

The 2026–2035 Capital Budget continues Morinville’s shift toward proactive, long-range capital planning. The approved plan:

• Increases investment in infrastructure renewal, helping manage the risk and cost of aging roads, utilities and facilities.
• Includes two major growth-related projects to support recent residential and commercial expansion.
• Helps improve Morinville’s performance on provincial municipal indicators by investing in the condition and capacity of core assets.

“At its core, this budget is about doing three key things well,” said CAO Michelle Hay. “First, it protects the services people rely on every day—roads, snow and ice control, utilities, recreation, enforcement, and community programs. Second, it invests where service levels were at or beyond capacity, in a few targeted areas where we simply could not sustain the current workload without compromising quality. And third, it keeps Morinville on a steady, responsible path: not expanding unnecessarily, not cutting irresponsibly, but making measured adjustments that support Council’s long-term priorities.”

Highlights from the 2026–2028 Operating Budget and 2026–2035 Capital Budget will be shared on morinville.ca/budget and through Morinville’s digital channels as projects move ahead.

Attachment: Town of Morinville 2026 Consolidated Budget

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Media contact(s):

Tracy Dalzell-Heise | Manager, Communications & Legislative Services | Town of Morinville        

P: 780-939-7639 | C: 587-341-5889 | tracydalzell-heise@morinville.ca

Travis Nosko | General Manager, Corporate and Planning Services | Town of Morinville
P: 780-939-7861 | C: 587-340-2205 | travis.nosko@morinville.ca