Cypress County’s 2026 budget approved 

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Cypress County’s 2026 budget has been approved.

“It took three days of deliberations, and it was very well presented,” says Reeve Dan Hamilton. “All the councilors were present, active, and engaged during deliberations. Reserves look good, and there are lots of improvements planned for roads and bridges in the County.”

By the numbers, the September 16 approval shows $43.6 million for a very diverse range of projects and funds, including upgrades to the Irvine Sportsplex, several economic development initiatives, and more than $1 million for community programs.

Reeve Hamilton notes, “The 2026 budget continues to invest in the priorities that matter most to our residents: safe and reliable infrastructure, sustainable growth, and strong, vibrant communities. We recognize the importance of balancing these priorities with prudent financial management to keep Cypress County affordable for families, farmers, and businesses alike.”

For County residents, tax rates remain consistent. A higher tax base allows for an income of $51.9 million to be allocated to capital and community projects.

As with all good budget planning, the future was a topic of concern, as council noted the need to remain proactive and set money into reserve funds for future infrastructure replacements.

As Budget 2026 can be hailed as “forward-thinking,” County residents can enjoy the fact that residential tax rates have remained steady since 2022 – while also generally remaining below the 20th percentile among Alberta municipalities.

In a press release following the approval, council extended thanks to the “residents and stakeholders for their input into the budget, as well as staff who continue to serve our thriving county with integrity, thoughtful planning, and transparency.”

For those seeking more insight into the budget, copies can be obtained at the County office. Alternatively, it can be viewed on the County’s website (https://www.cypress.ab.ca/).