Budgets

Budget and financial statements

Wheatland County’s annual budget details the services, programs, and infrastructure we offer to residents and businesses. This budget is carefully developed to provide a high quality of life at an affordable cost for residents and to provide an ideal location for businesses.

Current budget

Our annual budget consists of an operating and capital budget. The operating budget plans for the day-to-day costs of providing services to residents and businesses. The capital budget plans for the purchase of municipal assets and infrastructure, such as roads and water lines.

Through the budgeting process, we identify the source of funding to cover these costs. These funding sources include property taxes, service fees, government grants, financial reserves, or borrowing.

Budget process

Developing the budget is a two-stage process. First, an interim budget is approved in December to provide a general plan for services, programs, infrastructure, and related costs. In 2020, Wheatland County deployed a budget survey for the first time to determine which services were most important to residents and to ask if there were any services that required improvement.

Once the Government of Alberta releases its budget – typically in March – Wheatland County can confirm information about available grant funding and make any necessary adjustments to its interim budget. A final budget is typically set in late April, at which time the tax rates are also determined.

Shortly after the tax rates are set and the final budget is approved, residents and businesses will receive their tax notices.