Strathmore’s 2026 fees bylaw passed

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore’s 2026 fees bylaw has officially been cemented as of the Nov. 6 council meeting, coming just ahead of the imminent budget deliberations.

Second reading was previously passed during the Sept. 17 meeting. Administration had recommended finalizing the bylaw ahead of the budget, as approximately 30 per cent of the town’s revenue is derived from fees and charges authorized in the annual rate bylaw.

“The rates in these schedules will form a big part of the 2016 budget … and the passing of the bylaw (provides) clarity to us in administration in terms of revenues to include in the budget,” said Riley Brolly, manager of financial planning, budgeting and reporting. “As we mentioned in the budget presentation (Nov. 6), some utilities have a few noticeable changes: inflationary increases to water and wastewater consumption rates, reallocating some infrastructure reserve funds to better align with where the highest need is coming, and a decrease to solid waste charges … as well due to provincial rebates we’re receiving.”

For a household using 12 cubic meters of water per month, this change would ultimately equate to a one dollar decrease in their bill compared to throughout 2025.

Among the recommendations laid out in the fees bylaw are charges for those who choose to receive bills by mail. Brolly explained printing and mailing costs taxpayers approximately $26,000 per year as the system is currently utilized.

For recreational facilities, administration recommended two per cent inflationary increases for facility and equipment rentals virtually across the board.

For users who chose to pay for town services with their credit cards, administration included a recommendation that the surcharge for paying that way be increased to three per cent in order to better compensate for how the town is charged for allowing credit cards as a payment method. 

“This program is not yet implemented because we haven’t been able to find a vendor that actually works the way we needed to for the town in terms of automating systems, reasonable charges, things like that as well. So, it is still ongoing, but I did want to bring council’s attention,” said Brolly.

Following Brolly’s presentation, no further discussion on the topic was offered by council. Instead, a motion put forward by Coun. Jim Chisholm to adopt third reading was passed unanimously.

As of the Nov. 6 meeting, budget deliberations have yet to begin in earnest, however the proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets were introduced to council for information purposes only.