The City of Lloydminster is proposing a 3.75 per cent municipal tax-rate increase as part of its draft 2027 Operating and Capital Budget, presented to the Governance and Priorities Committee on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
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The draft budget sets out $126 million in operating expenses to cover day-to-day municipal services, including public safety, road maintenance and recreation programming, according to the city. It also proposes $30.5 million in capital spending for infrastructure and facility projects across the Border City.
What the capital budget would fund
Proposed capital investments include road improvements, water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades, facility improvements and equipment replacements, the city said.
The draft also proposes raising the infrastructure tax rate from one per cent to 1.5 per cent. The city estimates a residential property assessed at $350,000 would see a combined annual impact of about $120, or roughly $10 a month, assuming no change in assessed value.
How this year’s proposal compares
Lloydminster council approved a 4.08 per cent increase for Budget 2026 last December, following a proposed 3.9 per cent hike that was first floated in draft form. The city also passed a separate 2.47 per cent property tax rate increase in a mid-year adjustment earlier this year.
City describes a ‘hold the line’ approach
City manager Dion Pollard described the draft budget as a “hold the line” approach heading into 2027.
“It means making thoughtful choices, being realistic about what we can afford, and ensuring we’re positioning the organization to remain financially sustainable,” Pollard said.
Between June 11 and Aug. 19, the city sought public feedback on budget priorities and the financial challenges facing the municipality. The engagement campaign drew 468 survey responses from residents, who weighed in on funding priorities for municipal services, according to the city.
Next steps before final approval
A second draft of the budget is expected to go before city council on Monday, Nov. 23, for further consideration and potential approval. The city has cautioned that proposed figures and projects could still change before the budget is finalized.
Residents can review the full draft budget presentation through the City of Lloydminster’s 2027 budget webpage.
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