Cypress County sets 2026 tax rates

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Anna Smith
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After discussion on May 5, Cypress County council has moved to set a new tax rate for the coming year, looking to ensure competitive rates while enabling critical development.

A motion at a previous meeting would have seen no change to the rate for residential or farmland rates, with a 3.89 per cent increase for non-residential, small business and machinery and equipment rates. However, council instructed administration to come back with information regarding different options for tax ratios.

Prior to passing of the bylaw, the ratio for non-residential, small business and machinery and equipment tax rates to residential rates was 3.15 to one out of a possible five to one.

The motion ultimately passed will see a two per cent rate increase for residential and farmland, as well as an increase to a tax ratio of 3.25 to one.

This decision reflects a shift away from the previous 20th percentile methodology and into a new one that will allow the County to more effectively move toward current goals.

“This is developing Dunmore Junction, it’s establishing a recreational facility, which is going to cost a lot of money,” said Coun. Robin Kurpjuweit. “If we don’t put money aside, we’re going to end up only having a really great vision.”

This is part of an incremental change, moving toward a four to one ratio over the next several years, though the plan remains flexible.

It was noted that even with this change, the residential and farm rates remain within the bottom 20 per cent of provincial rates, allowing Cypress to remain competitive as a place to live and grow agricultural products.