City of Spruce Grove focuses on sustainable growth

City Council adopts Corporate Plan for 2012

By

November 29, 2011

With a commitment to balancing the needs of a growing community, while also maintaining high service levels, Spruce Grove city council has approved a 2.52 per cent increase in property taxes for 2012.

The tax increase is part of the City’s 2012 – 2014 Corporate Plan, which was adopted by city council on Nov. 28. The plan also allows for an increase in the utility rate from $3.581 to $3.905 per cubic metre and the franchise rates will be an additional 4.5 points for electricity and 2.4 points for natural gas. 

“City council and administration worked to develop a plan that focuses on sustainable and affordable growth,” said Mayor Stuart Houston. “We believe these increases are reasonable and will allow the City to continue to provide our residents with the quality of life they enjoy in Spruce Grove.”

A property owner with a property assessed at $323,000 will pay an additional $3.28 per month in property taxes. A utility customer who uses 17.5 cubic metres per month will pay an additional $5.67 for water and sewer each month. Franchise fees will increase by approximately $1.30 for electricity and $1.37 for natural gas for a typical consumer each month.

The increase in utility rates is effective Jan. 1, 2012, and the increase in franchise fees is effective March 1, 2012. The actual mill rate for property taxes will be set in April / May 2012. Property tax notices are usually sent out at the end of May.

The corporate plan also outlines the City’s new initiatives for 2012. They include:

• The grand opening of Jubilee Park and relocation of Canada Day festivities;
• Replacing the playground on McLeod Avenue and Broxton Park and adding playgrounds in Harvest Ridge and Jesperdale;
• Upgrading all asphalt trails in Westview Park and adding a trail to the Deer Park playground;
• Paving south of Millgrove Drive (over the water main replacement done in 2011) and Grove Drive, from Calahoo Road to Woodside;
• Replacing the water main for Wellington Crescent;
• Adding four new permanent full-time firefighters and one permanent full-time RCMP officer; and
• Implementing recommendations from the Economic Development Strategy

Find out more about the 2012 – 2014 Corporate Plan.