Budget | Town of Westlock

Your Tax Dollars at Work

Each year, we develop an Operating and Capital Budget to support programs, infrastructure, and community services. Council reviews and approves the budget to reflect community priorities and long-term objectives.

Operating Budget

The Operating Budget outlines the funding required to deliver municipal services and programs for the year. It is approved annually by Council and supports the day-to-day operations of the Town.

Capital Budget

The Capital Budget identifies planned investments in infrastructure, facilities, and major equipment over a multi-year period. Capital projects are reviewed and prioritized by Council to support asset renewal, growth, and long-term sustainability.

Financial Statements

The Town’s audited financial statements provide a transparent account of revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities. These annual statements ensure accountability and help residents understand how tax dollars are managed and invested in the community.

The Financial Statements confirm the Town’s commitment to responsible financial stewardship, highlighting:

Year-end financial position
Revenues and expenditures by category
Reserve fund balances
Audit findings and compliance with public sector accounting standards

Budget FAQs

These frequently asked questions explain how the Town’s budget works and how it may affect you.

What is included in the Capital Budget?

The Capital Budget funds major one-time projects and long-term assets such as roads, utilities, facilities, and large equipment. These investments support growth, safety, and reliable service delivery.

What services does the Operating Budget pay for?

The Operating Budget covers the day-to-day municipal services residents rely on, including snow clearing, parks, utilities, recreation programs, protective services, facility operations, and staffing.

Why is an interim Operating Budget needed at the start of the year?

An interim Operating Budget allows municipal operations, programs, and services to continue uninterrupted at the start of the year while the full Operating Budget is finalized.

How does an interim Operating Budget work?

The interim Operating Budget is approved at 50% of the prior year’s Operating Budget to ensure municipal operations continue uninterrupted while the full Operating Budget is finalized.

Why do property taxes change each year?

Operating costs increase annually due to inflation, utilities, insurance, contracts, and general cost-of-service increases. These rising costs affect the amount required to deliver municipal services.

In addition to the Town’s own operating needs, your annual property tax bill also includes mandatory provincial requisitions that municipalities are required to collect on behalf of the Province of Alberta. These include:

Education Property Tax – set by the Province and collected by all municipalities to support the kindergarten–Grade 12 education system.
Seniors’ Housing Requisition (sometimes called a Seniors’ Foundation Requisition) – also set by the Province under the Alberta Housing Act and collected by municipalities to support regional seniors’ housing and lodge operations.

These provincial requisitions are set by the Province and are not controlled by the Town of Westlock. As these requisitions change, they also affect the total amount shown on individual property tax bills.

Together, the Town’s operating requirements and provincially mandated requisitions contribute to year-over-year changes in property taxes.

Will everyone see the same tax change?

No. Property taxes are based on assessed value. The dollar impact on each household or business varies depending on the current year’s assessment.

Why does the Town focus on monthly dollar impacts instead of percentages?

A dollar-based explanation provides a clearer, more relatable picture of how the municipal budget affects households and businesses.