Coaldale Town Council approved the municipality’s 2026-2028 Operating Budget at a Special Council Meeting held Feb. 24.
The budget maintains service levels, while holding the line on residential property taxes, and keeps the Town’s non-residential tax rate at a competitive $10 for every $1,000 in assessed value.
According to the Town, the budget transfers $100,000 a year into a reserve fund for a future unspecified recreation project, and transfers over $2.2 million to capital reserves to help strengthen long-term asset management.
“Residents expect reliable services and careful financial management, especially when municipalities are facing continued cost pressures,” says Mayor Jack Van Rijn.
Van Rijn notes the budget reflects disciplined planning and a commitment to funding ongoing services, without increasing taxes on residents and without increasing the non-residential tax rate.
Council’s decision to hold residential property taxes at a zero per cent net increase in 2026 comes amid ongoing cost pressures affecting municipalities across the region.
In the City of Lethbridge, residents will see another 5.1 per cent increase to the municipal portion of their property taxes in 2026, while residents in Lethbridge County will see a 3 per cent increase.
Residents in Coalhurst are facing a projected 3.7 per cent increase on their property tax bills.
The Town adds Council’s decision to keep the non-residential tax rate steady will provide Coaldale businesses with a stable, predictable tax environment and help maintain Coaldale’s competitive advantage in the region.
“It’s important to recognize that by keeping the non-residential municipal tax rate at $10 per $1,000 of assessed value, Coaldale will continue to offer one of the most competitive business tax environments in southern Alberta,” notes Deputy CAO and Director of Growth and Investment Cameron Mills.
“Based on the Town’s most recent regional comparison, Coaldale’s commercial mill rate remains approximately 10 per cent lower than Taber’s and less than half of Lethbridge’s. Those are big, meaningful differences when it comes to deciding where you want to spend capital and build a business,” adds Mills.
