On December 2, Spruce Grove City Council approved the 2025-2027 Corporate Plan and 2025 budget which includes an operating budget of $128.4 million, and a capital budget of $33.1 million. Council also approved a municipal tax revenue requirement of $58.4 million, which includes an increase of $2.67 million consisting of $1.61 million general increase for municipal services and $1.06 million for asset lifecycle costs.

"Developing this budget was a challenge, as we worked to balance the economic pressures faced by many residents and the rising costs of goods and services affecting the City's operations," said Mayor Jeff Acker. "With our community surpassing 40,000 residents earlier this year and continuing to grow rapidly, ongoing investment is crucial to sustain this growth and ensure long-term stability. This budget strikes a balance, incorporating a fair tax adjustment to maintain essential services while addressing both immediate and future needs."

Municipal Operating Budget Highlights

Revenue for the municipal operating budget comes from many sources including user fees and franchise fees, as well as revenue from property taxes. The average household in Spruce Grove, based on a single family detached home with an assessed value of $408,824, will see an average property tax increase of $8.82 per month, which will provide enhanced municipal services in a number of areas, such as:

• Increased funding for On Demand Transit to improve weekday service reliability.
• Expanding snow removal service for properties with walkways on the side of the yard.
• Improving customer service and access to information through a city website update.
• Increased staffing to support services levels in areas including public safety, recreation and culture, information management and administration.

Capital Budget Highlights

The capital budget is funded from revenue sources such as municipal reserves debt and grants. Capital projects include investments in community facilities, civic infrastructure, parks and transportation. Significant capital projects for 2025 include:

• Completion of Heavy Metal Place recreation and culture facility, which is the largest capital project in Spruce Grove history.
• Completion of Re-imagined Central Park.
• Commencement of Boundary Road construction.
• Interior renovation to the Agrena lobby with accessibility and energy efficiency at the forefront, in addition to retrofitting the railings in the Stu Barnes and Grant Fuhr arenas.
• Significant investment in road rehabilitation and asset lifecycle replacement.

Utility Budget Highlights

Utility operations should be self-sustaining, which means the rates a user pays for a utility fully funds that utility. In summer 2023, the City conducted a review to update the utility rates to ensure the utilities remain self-sustaining. To build a stronger foundation of fiscal sustainability for the City’s utilities, the following rate changes will occur in 2025:

• Solid waste rates are decreasing in 2025 starting on April 1. The regular 240L waste cart will decrease to $21.70 per month and the small 120L waste cart will decrease to $18.45 per month. This is the second year in a row of decreased solid waste utility rates.
• Water rates are increasing by 23 cents per cubic metre, which equates to $3.22 per month for an average household that consumes 14 cubic metres of water per month. This is the water that enters your home through your taps.
• Sanitary sewer, also called wastewater, rates are increasing by 40 cents per cubic metre, which equates to $5.60 per month for an average household. This is the water that exits your home after use, like when you flush your toilet.
• Stormwater fees are increasing by $3.06 per month. This funding will be used to maintain these facilities, which provide benefits including reducing the risk of flooding, protecting water quality and supporting biodiversity. These fees will also help address any issues or concerns, including necessary construction or rehabilitation, at specific stormwater facility locations, such as odours, capacity challenges and algae build up.

"The 2025-2027 Corporate Plan was developed with service delivery and fiscal responsibility at the forefront," said Dean Screpnek, City Manager. "Administration is continuing with a three-year tax strategy, creating a foundation of long-term fiscal sustainability that supports our aging infrastructure and ensures we are meeting the needs of our community today."

The 2025-2027 Corporate Plan and 2025 Budget Highlights are available on the City’s website.