Fort Saskatchewan expects to lose its highway photo radar cameras next year, and the revenue they generate, City Council was warned this week.

This change being proposed by Alberta’s UCP government will mean a $1.5 million loss of revenue for the City of Fort Saskatchewan, with a significant impact on our 2025 budget, City Manager Troy Fleming said as budget discussions began Wednesday, Oct. 16.

The new rules, expected to be released in December, are expected to ban all Automated Traffic Enforcement cameras. Even photo radar enforcement will be banned from all Alberta highways, including highways within city limits. Photo radar will still be allowed in school zones and construction zones.

Other major challenges for the 2025 budget include an $800,000 increase in the policing budget thanks to an additional member being added to the local detachment and a wage increase, Fleming said.

Wages for all other City staff are also going up, adding $900,000 to the budget.

The Neighbourhood Rehabilitation program is getting an additional $475,000 and the road rehabilitation budget is also being increased by $300,000.

General inflation on other items adds up to another $2 million.

City Council is discussing its capital budget this week, and moving on to the operation budget and expected property tax impacts starting Nov. 14.