The Whitecourt Town Council is reviewing a $69-million interim budget for 2026 as it weighs fire services and winter road maintenance in Whitecourt, Alberta. Local leaders are focused on balancing the costs of running the community while responding to recent resident feedback about town services.
One major topic of discussion is the use of the Whitecourt Fire Department’s specialized aerial pumper, known as Tower 1. According to reporting on the council’s Jan. 12, 2026 meeting, Woodlands County has authorized limited use of Tower 1 within the county and will be billed an hourly rate for its deployment. The most recent council reporting states the county will be billed $740 per hour for Tower 1 responses; earlier reporting from 2025 referenced $720 per hour. The county’s authorization also asks that Tower 1 not be used in Woodlands for more than 30 hours without additional county approval.
Council is also reviewing its snow-and-ice control rules after a flurry of complaints about the condition of residential streets. Officials are examining service levels and response priorities to see whether changes can improve winter mobility. The town has scheduled public consultation as part of the budget process: an open-house to gather resident input is set for Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the Allan and Jean Millar Centre.
