City updatesFinanceMedia releases Posted on: November 13, 2024 Beaumont is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Alberta, surpassing 23,000 people in 2023 and increasing at an average annual rate of 5.6 per cent during the past 20 years. With new neighbourhoods opening and a rapidly expanding population, this growth is putting pressure on City services. “We’re seeing service demands increase in nearly every department. New neighbourhoods have roads that need clearing in the winter and parks that need mowing in the summer. Building and development permit applications are hitting record levels and take time to review and approve,” said Olly Morrison, Chief Financial Officer for the City of Beaumont. “While there is additional revenue from growth, it doesn’t fully cover the increase in service demands. This budget looks to protect the services we already provide while beginning to meet some of the growth demands.” The proposed municipal tax levy for 2025 is 5.82 per cent, with an additional 1.88 per cent to fund the increased cost of the City’s contract with the RCMP. Annual municipal tax increases have averaged 2.8 per cent since 2018. “The City was able to keep tax increases relatively low for several years, but rapid population growth, combined with inflation from the last couple of years, means revenue hasn’t kept pace with demands,” said Morrison. “We’re working on a comprehensive growth plan in 2025 that looks at our revenue and projected service and infrastructure needs in the coming years to manage our finances sustainably.” Operational increases in 2025 are largely targeted to growth pressures in areas including Planning and Development, Community Services, and Infrastructure. The proposed 2025 budget would also fund capital projects including: Design and site selection for pickleball courts Sports field design for the site near École Quatre-Saisons School in Ruisseau Replacement of aging fleet vehicles and equipment Sidewalk, road and facility renewal Safety netting for ball diamonds at Four Seasons Park, West Recreation Site and near J.E. Lapointe School Benches and garbage cans in new parks and open spaces Design and site selection for a tower for football coaching and safety spotting at the multi-use field in Four Seasons Park. With the proposed tax levy increase, the owner of a home assessed at $471,000 would pay $248.63 a year – $20.72 per month – more for municipal property taxes in 2025. Utilities would increase $6.87 per month for the typical home, reflecting the costs of maintaining services and growth pressures. There are no proposed changes to franchise fee rates on electricity or natural gas. View more details about the 2025 budget >> Attend one of the Budget Open House events >> Media contact: Mike Berezowsky Director, Communications & Service Experience 780-243-0458 mike.berezowsky@beaumont.ab.ca