NEWS RELEASE – Public Engagement Results from the 2025 Service Levels and Budget Survey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Public Engagement Results from the 2025 Service Levels and Budget Survey
September 2, 2025 – LAMONT, AB: Each year since 2022, Lamont County Council has asked the public to participate in its annual service level and budget survey. This engagement survey is an opportunity for the public to provide feedback and input on levels of service levels and budget planning. Lamont County engaged Y Station to conduct this year’s survey and results reporting to ensure accuracy and transparency. Survey analysis and results reporting can be found at: lamontcounty.ca/public-engagement.
From July 7-31, residents and stakeholders were invited to provide their input related to service levels and budget priorities through an online (and paper) and a telephone survey. To ensure all residents had the opportunity to complete the survey, all residents (not including the towns and villages) were sent a post card with a QR code, web address and phone number to participate in the survey. This link was also shared on social media and lamontcounty.ca. This year’s survey received 142 total responses (compared to 111 in 2024 and 116 in 2025).
The 2025 Service Level and Budget Survey allowed individuals (residents and organizations) from Lamont County to prioritize services and provide feedback on current levels of service from each department as well as Council’s six strategic goals from the Lamont County 2030 Strategic Plan.
“Your Council is committed to being transparent - continuing to build and maintain trust with integrity in its decision making,” said Lamont County Reeve, David Diduck. “There are many ways we engage the public, including Coffee Talks, FAQs on our website, the community newsletter, inFocus and newspaper advertising, the Service Request system, updated publications such as the Service Level and Budget Report and the Year in Review. Councillors also have in-person discussions, receive email and telephone calls, in addition to the annual engagement survey.”
The results of this survey were presented to Council at the August 26 Regular Council Meeting. Council uses the information received from this year and past surveys to set direction through strategic planning, policy service and budget discussions. Direct feedback from residents and the public is incorporated into these decisions
Council and Administration thanks everyone who participated and completed the surveys!
A brief summary of the survey results includes:
- Two key questions from the survey included questions 15 and 16:
- What is most important to you as Lamont County plans for the future, as it relates to our 2030 Strategic Goals?; and
- Municipal property taxes are the primary way Lamont County pays for services and programs (Given this information, what is your preferred tax strategy for Lamont County)?
(As a reminder: Lamont County does not set or receive tax funding for School Foundation, Seniors Housing or Municipal Waste – and these are a significant part of your tax bill – for example:
- The education component resulted in significant increases in tax rate.
- Assessment values are also set by the Provincial Government. Lamont County is only responsible for the Municipal Tax Rate.)
The preferred strategy or direction for future taxation was identified as:
- to limit tax increases to the rate of inflation and to maintain current levels of service.
Respondents identified the top two service priorities/areas of importance as:
- Public Works (regular road maintenance - gravel, abatement, snow, etc.); and
- Regional Fire and Emergency Services.
* Note: Community Policing and Rural Crime Prevention also ranked high.
The full survey results (as presented to Council) can be viewed at: lamontcounty.civicweb.net/document/52962.
“There is significant value in having feedback from our residents through public engagement,” said Reeve Diduck. “Council is entrusted to represent its residents and works hard to be transparent. We are focused on delivering open and honest communication to help Lamont County continue on the right path forward and into the future.”
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Media inquiries can be directed to:
Jay Zaal, Communications Coordinator
780-895-2233 Ext. 222 | jay.z@lamontcounty.ca | lamontcounty.ca/news
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