Town of Ponoka approves 2025 Budget

PONOKA -- The Town of Ponoka has officially adopted its 2025 Budget. 

Ponoka council voted to approve the budget at this week's council meeting after months of deliberations. This year's budget comes in at a total of $35,780,177, which includes an operating budget of $23,599,860 and a capital budget of $12,180,317.

The approval comes after the town included requisition costs and other expenses into its interim budget which was passed back in November. In addition, the township says that council has also approved their three-year operating and five-year capital budgets. 

Some of the projects allocated for in this year's budget include upgrades to the Ponoka Aquaplex (change rooms and pool filtration), Arena tractor replacement, 46th Street and Highway 53 intersection upgrades, and the new Civic Plaza.

Along with the final budget approval, Ponoka council also adopted a municipal property tax increase of 1.25 per cent for 2025. The increase equates to an annual increase of approximately $10.95 per $100,000 of assessment for residential, and $14.29 per $100,000 for non-residential properties.

Town administration says their property tax rate partially offsets inflationary cost increases for 2025. They also note that reducing the municipal property tax increase to 1.25 per cent from the previously suggested 3.25 per cent also offsets the impact of the 10.8 per cent provincial education property tax increase on Town of Ponoka ratepayers.

According to the township, this year's budget was carefully prepared to ensure the continued reliable delivery of services.