Red Deer County’s tax rate and minimum tax bylaw received second and third reading May 6, with the county set to collect about $42 million through taxation this year.
Rates for 2014 are 7.8673 for farmland (previously 7.5647), 2.6550 for residential (previously 2.6352) and 9.8480 for non-residential (previously 9.7312).
“The budget laid out earlier this year contains some very important infrastructure work that is key for Red Deer County’s future,” said Mayor Jim Wood in a media release. “This tax bylaw will allow us to collect the funds needed to complete this work in a timely and efficient manner.”
Levies were set at 0.5 for protective services (previously 0.4), 0.4 for community services and 0.159 environmental services. The latter two remain unchanged from last year.
A new seniors housing levy sits at a rate of 0.0209.
Highlights of the county’s budget include a re-gravel program, Gasoline Alley storm water improvements and bridge repair projects.
CAO Curtis Herzberg feels the bylaw bodes well for the future.
“This tax rate bylaw contains some major infrastructure projects that will serve the county well into the future,” he said in a media release following the bylaw’s first reading April 22. “Red Deer County offers a very high service standard and continues to be in a sound fiscal position.”
The tax payment deadline is June 30.