On December 4, Spruce Grove City Council approved the 2024-2026 Corporate Plan and 2024 budget which includes an operating budget of $85.9 million and a capital budget of $46.36 million. Council also approved a municipal tax revenue increase of $3.03 million consisting of $1.57 million for municipal services, $0.96 million for asset lifecycle costs, and $0.50 million for investment in the Civic Centre.  

“This budget was certainly challenging, as we recognize many residents are facing economic pressures,” said Mayor Jeff Acker. “But when we look at the community’s recent growth – nearly doubling in size over the past 15 years – we recognize the need for an ongoing investment to effectively respond to this growth and ensure long-term sustainability of our municipality. This is a balanced budget with a reasonable tax increase that will allow us to maintain service levels while also addressing new and ongoing service pressures.” 

Operating Budget Highlights 

Revenue for the 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 $395,150, will see a property tax increase of $10.96 per month, broken out as follows: 

Municipal services ($6.68 per month) 

• Increased staffing to support services levels in areas including roads and utilities, environment, and health and safety.  
• Increased annual maintenance activities within Heritage Grove Forest to help reduce hazards and fire loads, which will also help improve the aesthetic of the forest. 
• Increased RCMP annual contract costs. 
• Additional on-demand local transit Saturday service and enhanced on-demand local transit weekday service reliability (coming in 2024) and continued the subsidized transit access program for low-income individuals.  

Repair, maintenance and replacement of existing infrastructure ($2.14 per month) 

• Continuation of bus stop improvements including concrete pads, shelters and sidewalk connections. 
• Facility improvements including a concrete surface at the Agrena curling rink. 
• Fleet and equipment lifecycle replacements such as a new ambulance for public safety, a new wide mower to increase the City’s mowing capacity, and a new excavator to sustain maintenance levels and prevent downtime. 
• Highway 16A resurfacing westbound from the eastern City limits to Century Road. 
• Rehabilitation of traffic signals. 
• Renovations to City Hall to increase workspace density and resolve building mechanical issues. 

Civic Centre ($2.14 per month) 

• Capital and operating costs of the Civic Centre project, as part of a multi-year strategy to level out the financial impact on both the community and City operations. 

Capital Budget Highlights 

The capital budget pulls from revenue sources such as municipal reserves, developer levies, debt and grants. Capital projects include investments in community facilities, transportation networks, parks and public safety. Notable capital projects currently underway include: 

• Civic Centre, the largest capital project in Spruce Grove history. 
• Re-imagined Central Park, a multi-year revitalization project for one of our most loved and well-used spaces. 
• Spruce Grove Transit Centre, the first transit centre in the City. 
• City Centre Area Redevelopment. 

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 2024: 

• Solid waste rates are decreasing by $3.43 per month. The regular 240L waste cart will decrease to $25.07 per month and the small 120L waste cart will decrease to $21.82 per month. 
• Water rates are increasing by 30 cents per cubic metre, which equates to $4.20 per month for an average household. This is the water that enters your home through your taps.
• Sanitary sewer, also called wastewater, rates are increasing by 18 cents per cubic metre, which equates to $2.52 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 $1.95 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 2024-2026 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 and ensuring we are meeting the needs of the community today while also preparing for the future.” 

The 2024-2026 Corporate Plan and Budget Highlights are available on the City’s website.