INTERIM BUDGETS: The Municipal Government Act requires each municipality to pass a balanced Interim Operating and Capital Budget before December 31 annually. The 2026 Interim Capital and Operating Budgets were approved by Council. The 2026 Operating and Capital Plan, which were based on the Interim Budgets, were also approved. The 2026 Interim Operating Budget is balanced at $33,959,495. The balanced budget includes a two per cent residential municipal tax dollar increase, non-residential municipal tax rate increase of 1.7 times the residential municipal tax rate, utility fixed charged increase to $20 per month, utility consumption fee increase to $3 per cubic meter, garbage rate increase to $15.25 per month, reduction in requests from community organizations, deferral of staffing positions, and a transfer of $607,130 from the General Operating Reserve. The balanced 2026 Interim Capital Budget came in at $9,547,484. It reflects a minor surplus of $6,734, which will be transferred to the General Capital Reserve to maintain a balanced budget. Administration is anticipating $1,238,250 in Provincial Grant Funding which is a decrease of $37,073 from 2025 and $6,366,066 from the 2025 ID349 Funding. Local improvement tax revenue in the amount of $84,000 is included, accounting for any potential lane paving projects. Reserve transfers for equipment replacement totals $1,462,500 and a reserve transfer in the amount of $396,668 has been included for the Highway 28 Project. As a result, the total amount transferred from reserves is $1,859,168. In addition, unfinished 2025 projects will either carry forward into 2026 or be deferred. These projects were fully funded in 2025, so there is no additional financial impact on the 2026 budget.
DELEGATIONS: Council received an update from Portage College’s outgoing President Nancy Broadbent and were introduced to the new President, Dr. Stephen Price. The delegation informed Council that 402 students from Bonnyville attended the college across all their campuses and online. The College’s enrollment is now exceeding 1,500 students on campuses and approximately 1,700 online and off campus. Portage College’s newest additions and upcoming programs to be offered include addictions counselling, apprenticeship carpentry, apprenticeship heavy equipment technician, Bachelor of Education/Essentials of Teaching Certificate, Kinesiology, and pre-health sciences. The Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre offers the Community Adult Learning Program, which covers basic computer skills, English, mathematics, financial management, and more. The presentation was accepted as information by Council.
Violet Lapointe, Games Manager for the 2026 Lakeland Region Alberta Winter Games made a delegation during the meeting. She provided an update on the Games and informed Council where they are in the planning process. The Games will be happening in the Lakeland region from February 13 to 16, 2026, with over 2,400 athletes registered to participate. Lapointe estimated the region will see over 5,000 during that time. The games will be utilizing facilities for the 18 sports in the Village of Glendon, Town and MD of Bonnyville, and City of Cold Lake. Lapointe invited Council to be Ambassadors for the Games and to participate in the upcoming community events scheduled in January. Volunteers are needed to make the Games a success. Click here to fill out the Volunteer Form. The presentation was accepted as information.
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS: As per the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and the Community Organization Property Tax Exemption Regulation, Council approved property tax exemptions for the Bonnyville Baptist Church, Dragonfly Counselling and Support Centre, and La Societe Du Festival Bonnyvillois.
BRIEFLY: Councillor Brian McEvoy was appointed as the Chair of the Joint Assessment Review Board for a one-year term.
A Reference Letter for the Alberta Bilingual Municipality Association for their application to the Alberta Settlement and Integration Program (ASIP) was ratified by Council.
NOTE: This was the last Regular Meeting of Council of 2025. Town of Bonnyville Council wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026.