Calmar passes new tax rate bylaw, sets mill rates

CALMAR -- The Town of Calmar has established its mill rates for 2026.

This came through the passage of the township's new tax rate bylaw, which was adopted unanimously by Calmar Council on Apr. 20, 2026. The bylaw was given its first reading a week prior, following discussions relating to municipal revenue required for the 2026 Operating Budget.

Following those decisions, Calmar staff updated the tax rate bylaw to ensure the tax revenue generated would match the revenue specified in the Operating Budget. Mayor Krista Gardner says that their reasoning for the higher rates for vacant properties -- both residential and commercial -- is to encourage owners to build.

"We see an increase in the mill rate for vacant land, both residential and non-residential, which is an attempt to incentivize land owners to build on their property instead of holding for a long time," said Mayor Gardner. "That's a bit of a stick approach, rather than a carrot. But, if that's what it takes to get people to build rather than land banking, then I think that's a reasonable thing to do."

General Municipal:                            Tax Levy                     Assessment                Tax Rate                    

Residential                                         $2,658,094                 $289,315,400              9.18753 
Non-Residential                                 $738,961                    $53,727,390               13.7539
 Machinery and Equipment               $685                            $49,000                      13.9766 
Residential – Vacant                          $211,796                     $8,429,000                 25.12703 
Non-Residential – Vacant                  $173,564                     $7,346,000                 23.62703 
Farmland                                            $2,327                         $136,000                    17.11683  

TOTAL:                                             $3,785,427                 $359,002,790      
 

ASFF (Alberta School Foundation Fund):

Residential/Farmland                         $778,325                    $297,880,400             2.61288 
Non-Residential                                 $224,134                    $61,122,390               3.66697  

TOTAL:                                             $1,002,459                 $359,002,790  

Property taxes for this year will also include the Leduc Regional Housing Foundation requisition.