Council Approves 2025 – 2027 Operating Budget and 2025 – 2034 Capital Plan

Media Advisory         
For Immediate Release
December 5, 2024 

Council Approves 2025 – 2027 Operating Budget and 2025 – 2034 Capital Plan 

Morinville, Alta. – Morinville Council passed the 2025 – 2027 Operating Budget and the 2025 to 2034 Long-Term Capital Plan at a Special Meeting of Council on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.  

Council approved the amended 2025 – 2027 Operating Budget and the 2025-2034 Capital Budget. The 2025 Operating Budget includes a general municipal tax requisition of $14,677,038, resulting in an estimated residential tax rate increase of 5.57%.  

Residential property owners can expect a monthly property tax increase of approximately $19.51/month, based on the average assessed value of a residential property in Morinville ($364,539). This estimate includes the impact of the tax rate and assessment value increases.  

In addition to the projected tax rate approved by the Council, the Taxation Policy that moves the residential to non-residential tax ratio from 1:1.33 to 1:1.50 will impact non-residential rates. The combined impact on the average non-residential property (assessed value of $868,427) will be an increase of approximately $172.57/month.  

During deliberations, the Council reviewed both needs-based and value-added operating initiatives. The approved initiatives include: 

Needs-Based  

• Community Needs Assessment 

• Increased FCSS resources 

• Hydrovac Services  

• Facilities Master Plan 

• Additional resources for Parks, Building Maintenance and Engineering Services 

• Customer Services resources 

• Service Reviews 

Value-Based: 

• Community Sport Memorabilia Display 

• Increased hours of operation at the Morinville Leisure Centre 

• Regional services contract 

• Water Conservation Program 

• Waste Management Education 

• Tree Program 

• SJB Park Revitalization, including the Centennial Fountain 
  
  
• Street Banner Program 

“This budget highlights Council's commitment to Morinville's present and future. By adhering to our long-term operating and capital plans, we are strategically investing in infrastructure, responsibly managing our reserves, and ensuring financial sustainability of the municipality,” says Mayor Simon Boersma. “At the same time, it supports the demands on services levels and addresses growth pressures.” 

Fees & Charges Bylaw 

On November 26, 2024, Council approved the 2025 Fees and Charges Bylaw, including water, wastewater, solid waste and stormwater rates. The 2025 rates are:  

• Water 

• • No increase  

• Wastewater 

• • Rates have increased from 1.94/m³ to 2.14/ m³ 

• • This increase is driven by a rate change by Arrow Utilities. 

• Stormwater charges are increasing from $20/month for residential and $40/month for non-residential to $22.50/month for residential and $45/month for non-residential. 

• • While the stormwater management plan recommended increases of $5 and $10, Council chose to reduce the implementation pace of stormwater management charges. 

• Solid Waste 

• • Household waste fees are increasing by approximately $1.10 a month in alignment with the contract with the service provider. 

Council will determine the final tax rate in the spring of 2025 based on the approved budget, 2025 assessment data, and 2024 year-end financial results. Tax notices will be mailed to Morinville property owners by May 31, and payment is due on or before June 30, 2025. 

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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 | Manager, Financial Services | Town of Morinville  
P: 780-939-7861 | C: 587-340-2205 | travis.nosko@morinville.ca