BONNYVILLE - Second and third readings of the 2025 tax rate bylaw for the MD of Bonnyville were carried by a 4-2 vote during the May 13 council meeting.
Calvin Bespalko, interim general manager of Corporate Services, offered an example and explained that the bylaw would see a $500,000 assessed residential property receiving a 3.4 per cent tax increase, which is estimated to be a $46.89 increase.
The tax rate bylaw reads: “The estimated municipal expenditures and transfers set out in the budget for the [MD of Bonnyville] for 2025 (excluding non-cash items) total $141,945,722 . . . The estimated municipal revenues and transfers from all sources other than taxation is estimated at $28,405,382 and the balance of $113,540,340 to be raised by general municipal taxation.”
Speaking with Lakeland This Week after the meeting, Bespalko spoke about the complexity of how taxes are calculated, with each property assessment impacting what one’s final dollar amount will be. Bespalko encouraged those with questions to reach out to the MD of Bonnyville, and said they are more than happy to help people understand how their taxes were calculated, and break down the reasons behind the increase.
Council discussion
Coun. Josh Crick made the motion to approve the 2025 tax rate bylaw.
"The mill rate actually is going down and we’re not really keeping up with inflation,” said Crick.
Coun. Mike Krywiak expressed that he did not support a 3.4 per cent increase in taxes.
“It’s a bit too high after we put millions of dollars into reserves, so I will not be supporting this motion,” said Krywiak.
Coun. Ben Fadeyiw commented on rising costs, and his own experience with his personal business seeing “anywhere from a five per cent to 30 per cent increase in products.”
“We all know that everything is going up drastically. As a government we have to buy lots of grader blades and equipment. Right now, I have great concerns about the state of the government coming in – I really don’t know where this is all going and I think we should be in a good position to weather the storm.”
Fadeyiw said he feels the increase in the taxes is not “overbearing,” but “fair.”
Deputy Reeve Darcy Skarsen, who had previously voiced his opposition to the tax increase, was not in attendance at the council meeting to vote on the matter.
Krywiak, and Coun. Dana Swigart voted against approving the 3.4 per cent tax increase, accounting for the 4-2 vote.
