2023 Budget addresses growth and innovation

Ongoing funding for infrastructure projects, investment in parks and recreation, and additional mental health support is included in the balanced City of Leduc 2023 Budget approved by City Council at a public meeting on Dec. 12.  

“Last year was an important time of preparation as we prioritized financial prudence and reached significant milestones on projects like the Airport Vicinity Protection Area and 65th Avenue Interchange,” says City of Leduc Mayor Bob Young, “Now, after years of work, Leduc is able to grow and develop in ways that were not previously possible, and we can look forward to building a better-connected city and region.”  

The 2023–2026 Strategic Plan drives the budget process and in 2023 shifts the municipality's focus from maintaining services to investment, growth, and innovation.  

Community health and safety is a prominent theme – with the North Fire Hall included, providing much needed emergency services to the industrial areas of Leduc, funding for a community navigator to help connect residents to mental health and social supports, a School Resource Officer, and a position added to the RCMP Police and Crisis Team to work in partnership with an AHS Mental Health Nurse. 

As an active community, the need to maintain and invest in recreation services is a priority for residents. 2023 will see improvements to Lede Park, outdoor rinks, fitness and aquatic equipment. These investments continue to make Leduc an attractive destination for large sporting events that support the local economy, like the 2025 Alberta 55+ Summer Games, a bid the City recently won.  

The City anticipates spending roughly $112 million in 2023 to maintain and enhance service levels and move capital projects forward. To balance the budget, a modest increase of 4.19 per cent in tax revenue is required; of that, almost 3 per cent is related to rising inflation. The final average property tax rate can vary due to the provincial education tax requirements and the final property assessments in the city, which will be known in January.  

“I am confident that this budget reflects the needs of our community, the priorities of residents and the value they expect to see from municipal services,” says Mayor Young.

Background

The budget and its relationship to property taxes: 

• To determine the amount of revenue required from property taxes, the city takes the overall expenses and subtracts all other sources of revenue. The amount that’s left is what needs to be raised through municipal property taxes. 
• The City sets a municipal tax rate early in each year based on the tax revenue required to meet the council-approved annual budget and the total assessed value of all properties (residential and commercial) in Leduc.