Why are my 2025 property taxes going up?

Due to the Alberta Government’s unexpected 2025 education tax rate increase of 10.8 per cent for Town of Ponoka residents, Council lowered the municipal property tax increase to 1.25 per cent – down from the proposed 3.25 per cent increase that was initially approved by Council last fall in the Interim Budget. This was done to offset to impact of the education tax increase.

Although Ponoka’s municipal tax increase has been reduced to 1.25 per cent, property owners in town may see a larger increase in their overall tax bill. This is due to two main factors:

• The 10.8 per cent increase to the provincial education tax. The Town has no influence over this portion of the tax bill and is legislatively required to collect and remit the education tax to the Province.
  
  In addition to collecting municipal property taxes and the education tax, the Town is also required to collect a Seniors Housing Tax on behalf of Rimoka Housing Foundation through the annual property tax notice mailed to property owners each year.
  
  
• An increase in property assessment values across Alberta, including the Town of Ponoka where residential assessment increased by $55.9 million and non-residential assessment increased by $8.8 million over the 2024 assessment. Assessment values reflect the market value of individual properties as of December 31, 2024.