Olds town council has approved a 2019 operating budget of nearly $30 million that will result in a 2.5 per cent property tax rate increase.
Council unanimously approved the budget during its Dec. 10 council meeting.
Along with the increase in property taxes comes additional increases and decreases for other service fees and programs to help bridge the nearly $1-million deficit.
As previously reported, the increase in property tax rates will result in the average household paying an additional $3.83 per month ($45.96 per year) according to the town’s chief administrative officer, Michael Merritt.
The budget has $560,287 for staffing in several areas and for protective services.
This will include a new RCMP officer and a new peace officer, both of whom will start in the second half of 2019, as well as a new fire prevention officer.
There will be increases in user fees for the Sunshine Bus, business licences and solid waste. Fortis franchise fees are set to rise as well.
The changes in fees will go into effect Jan. 1.
