Lacombe County council approved the Parkland Regional Library System’s 2027 budget at its Oct. 8 regular council meeting, increasing the county’s annual contribution by nearly $10,900.

The county will contribute $113,627.15, up from $102,727.17 in 2026. The municipal membership fee increases to $11.05 per resident from $9.99, a rise of 10.61 per cent, based on the county’s population of 10,283.

According to Parkland’s budget notes, the increase is primarily driven by a change in how capital purchases are funded. The 2027 budget incorporates $163,000 in capital expenses rather than handling those costs through a separate supplement.

That allocation includes $65,000 for a van, $60,000 for headquarters computers, $30,000 for the building and $8,000 for equipment. Parkland says the change will help maintain reserves at levels recommended by its auditors and make its financial position easier to understand.

Operating expenditures, excluding capital purchases and the provincial rural library grant passed through to libraries, are projected to increase by 1.44 per cent.

The budget also includes higher spending on software licences, member library computers and digital materials. Salaries are budgeted to rise by approximately 1.8 per cent as eligible employees advance through the existing pay grid. No cost-of-living adjustment is included.

Of the county’s $11.05 per-resident membership fee, $1.13 will be allocated to libraries for book purchases.

The book allotment and provincial rural library funding are distributed under the county’s library support policy to libraries in Alix, Bentley, Blackfalds, Clive, Eckville and Lacombe.

Lacombe County has belonged to Parkland since December 2001. While council approved the budget, it takes effect across the regional system once approval is received from at least two-thirds of member municipalities representing at least two-thirds of the member population.