Administration presented the draft 2023-2025 budget to Council on Monday, October 24. The draft budget delivers on Council’s Strategic Plan, reflects community feedback received in the spring of 2022, and recognizes the inflationary costs associated with providing services and delivering on capital projects.
While the Strategic Plan lays out the vision for Cochrane, the budget is administration’s commitment to making the vision a reality. The budget also reflects community expectation for innovative, customer-focused service delivery while responding to extensive inflationary pressures, which has affected the cost of delivering services.
“Administration is committed to ensuring that the services provided are aligned with the needs of the community and are delivered in an effective, efficient, and financially sustainable way,” said Cochrane Chief Administrative Officer Mike Derricott. “While we strive for financial prudence in all our efforts, this budget reflects the impacts of growth and inflation, works towards the goals of the Strategic Plan, and protects our thriving future by balancing the needs of today with those of the future.”
The capital budget reflects the continued investment in our community, with a significant focus on transportation and utility-related infrastructure. Proposed projects include Phase 3 and 4 of the Centre Avenue Improvements, wastewater pipeline twinning, Quigley Drive upgrades and servicing the 5th Avenue site.
“Earlier this year, we asked Cochrane residents to help us determine where to focus your tax dollars,” said Derricott. “While we heard a variety of responses, the overarching message was the need to continue to provide the level of service that Cochranites have come to know and expect.”
Council will debate the budget on November 15, 16, 21 and 24. The community is invited to learn more about the budget and provide feedback to Council by visiting letstalkcochrane.ca/Budget or attending a public information session at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre on Friday, October 28 from 9am to 1pm or Saturday, October 29 from 9 am to 5 pm. The feedback provided will be presented to Council on November 15.
The final budget will be adopted by Council on December 12, 2022.
More information is available at cochrane.ca/Budget.