Property owners in the County of Stettler will see an increase to municipal taxes this year.
County council passed its 2026 tax rate bylaw on May 13, approving a $23.6-million tax budget.
The bylaw includes a 2% municipal tax increase for residential & non-residential properties & an 8% increase for farmland.
The increases are expected to generate an additional $51,322 for the county’s general revenue.
County administration noted that the overall tax rates are influenced by requisitions they are required to collect and pass on to other authorities.
This year, the requisition for the County of Stettler Housing Authority has surged by 48%, jumping from $692,769 to just over $1.02 million.
Taxpayers will also see an 11% increase in the provincial education requisition, alongside a sharp rise in mandatory police funding.
Administration warned council to expect continued annual increases through to 2031, at which point the police funding model will cost the county nearly $1 million annually.
Tax notices will also include line items showing taxpayers where their money is going, such as doctor recruitment & policing.
Estimated Increases
Residential: A home assessed at $634,150 will see an increase of $112.31 on the municipal portion of their taxes.
Non-Residential/Commercial: A business assessed at $960,200 will pay an additional $552.27.
Farmland: Based on a regulated rate set by Municipal Affairs tied to land production rather than market value, a parcel assessed at $41,120 will see a $19.24 increase.
The deadline to pay 2026 property taxes without penalty is Friday, Oct. 30.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
