Smarter Spending, Stronger Parkland: Making every tax dollar work harder for residents

As your representative, I believe every tax dollar should work harder for you. The 2025 Parkland County budget committed over $140 million to operations and capital projects, and I see real opportunities to make this type of spending more efficient moving forward while keeping services strong.

Parkland County has ambitious budgets for 2026 and on, but ambition must be matched with responsibility. Residents deserve confidence that their tax dollars are being managed wisely, with a clear focus on efficiency, transparency, and long-term sustainability. My approach is not about cutting for the sake of cutting—it’s about smarter spending, reducing waste, and making sure every dollar delivers real value for the people who live and work here. To achieve this, I will focus on four key priorities:

First, we need to cut down on red tape. The County has already identified process reviews as a focus in 2025, and I want to take that further—streamlining approvals, moving more services online, and reducing reliance on outside contractors. These changes save money and deliver faster, better service to residents.

Second, we need to make smarter choices about how work gets done. I’m open to exploring third-party or private contractors when it creates real budget or scheduling efficiencies, so long as taxpayers see the benefit. At the same time, I’m committed to cutting red tape in key economic sectors and in areas where it makes sense—making it easier for businesses and residents to move projects forward without unnecessary delays. But unlike what we’ve seen in regions such as Edmonton, I will ensure that residents are never shut out of the decision-making process in their own communities. Transparency and public input will always come first.

Third, when it comes to roads, water, and recreation projects, I’ll push for smart capital spending. That means prioritizing maintenance of what we already own before taking on expensive new builds, bundling contracts for better pricing, and fully leveraging provincial and federal grants to take the pressure off local taxpayers.

Finally, the most effective way to find lasting efficiency is by growing our non-residential tax base. By attracting and supporting businesses in places like Acheson, we can reduce the burden on families while strengthening the services that keep our community thriving.

Conclusion

My vision for Parkland County is about balance—being responsible with today’s dollars while investing wisely in tomorrow. Efficiencies aren’t about cutting corners; they’re about removing duplication, reducing waste, and ensuring that every decision is made with residents in mind. With smarter processes, fair partnerships, and a stronger business base, we can build a County that is financially resilient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of its people.

And I’m ready to make it happen. My background in project management and business operations has given me the tools to manage budgets, coordinate with teams on complex projects, and to see projects completed on time and on budget. I’ve seen first-hand how waste creeps into systems, and I know how to fix it. More importantly, I believe in open, transparent decision-making where residents always have a voice—a clear contrast to what we’ve seen in other municipalities.

That’s why I, Rob Pellerin, am the right choice to lead these changes. I bring not just ideas, but practical, proven experience in getting things done. Parkland County deserves leadership that is efficient, accountable, and focused on results, and with your support, I’m ready to deliver.