Pincher Creek property owners will see an average increase of about $322 on their tax bills this year after town council passed the 2026 property tax bylaw at its April 27 regular meeting.

Council gave Bylaw 1620-26 all three readings in a single sitting, authorizing the town to collect $5.66 million in municipal property taxes for 2026 — a 7.82 per cent increase over last year.

“The average property tax increases are going to be about $322. Some people are going to be more, some people are going to be less, just depending on the value of your house,” said Wendy Catonio, director of corporate services.

Only three per cent of the total is a municipal tax hike of roughly $163,000, with the remainder being higher provincial requisitions for education and policing that are collected and passed on.

The education requisition alone jumped 19 per cent over 2025, adding $333,772 to the town’s obligations. Catonio attributed the shift to the province’s decision to download more education funding costs onto municipalities rather than collecting them through provincial taxes.

The Pincher Creek Foundation requisition for Crestview Lodge also rose nine per cent, adding another $20,284.

Despite the overall increase, the residential tax rate decreased by 0.3870 and the non-residential rate by 0.0591, meaning properties that did not rise significantly in value may see a smaller-than-average increase.

Clean financial audit

Council unanimously approved the town’s 2025 audited consolidated financial statements, receiving what auditors described as “unmodified” or clean reports.

Catonio said the audit, conducted by KPMG, found the municipality’s financial statements present fairly in all material respects and comply with Canadian public-sector accounting standards.

The town reported total financial assets of $14.5 million at the end of 2025, up from $12.4 million the previous year, largely driven by increased cash and short-term investments.

Cash flow from operating activities and investment proceeds contributed to the rise, offset in part by spending on capital projects and debt repayment.

Total financial liabilities were $5.4 million, up from $4.1 million in 2024, due largely to increases in accounts payable and deferred revenue.

Non-financial assets, which include tangible capital assets such as infrastructure, dipped slightly to $50 million from $51 million, as amortization outpaced new asset additions during the year.

The statements also incorporate finances of the Pincher Creek Community Early Learning Centre, meaning grants, wages and other figures related to the centre are consolidated into the town’s overall numbers.

Budget adjustments reflect higher costs

Council approved adjustments to the 2026 operating budget, reflecting updated figures and corrections to earlier administrative oversights.

The most significant adjustment involves Pincher Creek Emergency Services, whose payment to the town came in $158,262 higher than in 2025.

Council agreed to draw that amount from reserves rather than pass it directly to taxpayers, reasoning the spike was a direct consequence of two large fires in 2024 and was unlikely to recur.

The education requisition was $333,748 higher than the previous year, while the Pincher Creek Foundation requisition came in $5,299 above the budgeted estimate and the policing payment was $12,191 higher than estimated.

New property tax growth of $24,078 above the original estimate was transferred to reserves.

Catonio said some adjustments were technical and did not affect overall taxation, including corrections related to funding sources for asphalt and sidewalk work, and the conclusion of MD contributions toward the early learning centre.

Council debates naming of municipal facilities

Council directed administration to develop options and cost estimates for updated signage across the Memorial Community Centre complex — restoring the full name to a facility increasingly referred to simply as the MCC.

This follows a March 23 closed-session discussion about renaming the arena after an individual. While administration reported there are no provincial rules governing how municipalities name or rename their facilities, discussion shifted toward reclaiming the original name rather than replacing it.

Mayor Wayne Oliver suggested using Memorial Arena to better reflect the site’s historical significance, noting the name has gradually fallen out of common use.

Coun. Brian McGillivray made a case for restoring the name with dignity.

“I think we’re doing those who fought and died for our freedom an injustice to simply label just the arena,” he says. “I think it’s the entire complex.”

He moved the complex be rebranded with proper, prominent signage befitting its meaning — a motion that drew broad support.

Coun. Sahra Nodge agreed the discussion raised a wider point about how Pincher Creek uses and remembers its own history. She called on council to develop a formal framework before proceeding with future naming of facilities after individuals, so decisions are guided by clear criteria rather than becoming popularity contests.

Coun. Bernice Cyr suggested the signage could also incorporate references to women’s contributions and Indigenous history connected to the memorial concept, pointing to research done in connection with the Famous Five and their role in advancing women’s rights in Canada.

Regional health-care contribution approved

Council agreed to contribute $5 per capita, about $19,500, to Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation’s Bringing Hearts Home campaign, which aims to strengthen cardiac-care services across southern Alberta.

While philosophically supportive of the campaign’s goals, Coun. Nodge was troubled by the funding model.

“I have a problem with provincial downloading of health-care services to municipal taxpayers,” she said.

Cyr suggested the town should give the same amount it gives to STARS air ambulance, as multiple agencies provide emergency response in the region.

McGillivray and Coun. Valerie Wynder both advocated for the full $5-per-capita amount.

Wynder noted the initiative is a one-time expense and pointed to statistics suggesting residents in the region face a significantly higher risk of dying from a cardiac event than those in urban centres.

Funding for 4-H and soccer

Council approved two community donation requests.

Foothills 4-H Beef Club, celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, received $500 to help fund a special event. Hunter McMullen, president of the club, had appeared before council April 13 to outline the club’s history and the significance of the milestone.

Pincher Creek Soccer Association was awarded $500 to assist with its youth tournament, which is expected to draw teams from across the region and involve hundreds of young players.