On April 14, 2020, Yellowhead County passed the final 2020 budget of $166.7 million.

When creating budget 2020, Council was very cognizant of the challenges facing our community right now, both the crash of the energy industry and the economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To help our residents and industry during these tough times, Council approved a 5% across the board reduction in the municipal mill rate. This is a significant move that will help keep more money in the pockets of the taxpayers to assist them in the recovery of the economy.

“This process has been difficult, and a lot of work has gone into this budget,” asserts Yellowhead County Mayor Jim Eglinski. “A reduction of 5% is significant, and I hope it stirs development and helps our residents and industry.”

Additionally, Council also moved the tax deadline date from June 30, 2020 to October 15, 2020, to help with industry cash flows during these troubling economic times.

“Hopefully, this extended deadline helps residents and businesses through these tough economic times,” says Eglinski. “And along with the decreased tax rate and utilizing our financial reserves, it will help take some financial pressure off of our stakeholders.”

As we move out of this pandemic, the province is urging municipalities to get shovel-ready projects out the door quickly. This should help spur the economy back to health and get Albertans working. Council has budgeted to use County taxes and reserves to move several capital projects forward to help keep our industry moving.

You can see the 2020 Yellowhead County Budget here.

Some of these projects include:
Utilities:
Sani-dump (Wildwood area)
Waste-water Lagoon (Marlboro)
Solid Waste:
Transfer Site Upgrades
Recreation:
Brule Hall
Evansburg Arena upgrades
Edson Multiplex
Robb Pumptrack
Protective Services:
Communication/cell towers
Fire Engine
Fire Training Tower
Transportation:
Obed CN Crossing
Long Lake Road Rebuild
Baseline Road Rebuild
Evansburg Street Improvements