(Cochrane, AB) - Cochrane residents are invited to provide their feedback on Cochrane services, as a first step in developing the 2026-2028 operating budget.
Prior to drafting the budget, Administration is seeking to understand the community's desired level of service to ensure departmental business plans and budgets reflect community demand and design service delivery in an effective, efficient and financially sustainable way.
“Engaging with Cochrane residents during this budget process remains a top priority for both Council and Administration,” says Stacey Loe, Executive Director of Corporate Services for the Town of Cochrane. “We are seeking feedback on municipal services once again this year to ensure that Cochrane’s budget aligns with the service levels our community expects. We want to know what’s working well, what isn’t and how we can better serve our community—both now and in the future.”
Cochrane operations impact residents, businesses and other stakeholders every day. The survey lists Cochrane’s departments and seeks input into whether a respondent feels service levels should increase, decrease or stay the same.
Last year, 54% of survey respondents felt they received good to excellent value for their property taxes and wanted service levels to remain the same. Cochrane’s 2025 budget included a 2.63% revenue requirement to support essential services and key infrastructure projects. To maintain service levels and support front-line operation, and aligning with community priorities, staffing was added in key service delivery areas such as asset management, parks and open spaces and housing affordability at a rate consistent with population growth.
“Over the next few weeks, all Cochrane households will receive a letter in the mail with a QR code and phone number inviting them to participate in the survey,” said Stacey Loe, Executive Director Corporate Services, Town of Cochrane. “Some residents will also be contacted directly by phone. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, the survey will also be posted on our Let’s Talk Cochrane public engagement website.”
Administration will also host two focus groups this year—one in the spring and another in the fall.
“The focus groups will allow for more in-depth conversations with residents about the budget process,” explains Loe. “We’ll bring back the same group in the fall to share the draft budget, explain how their feedback was incorporated and gather further input to share with Council during budget deliberations.”
Survey and focus group results will be presented to Council for consideration at the regular council meeting on July 7, 2025. Following Council’s direction, Administration will draft the 2026-2028 budget over the summer and provide a draft budget to Council in the fall. The budget is debated in November and finalized by Council in December and guides service-level decisions for the coming three years. A capital budget is also presented to Council for consideration, providing specific funding for infrastructure projects, equipment and fleet.
To participate in the survey and provide feedback, community members are invited to use the QR code or text link on the postcard delivered to each residence later this week or visit the town’s public engagement site. Additionally, an external consultant, Advanis, will be conducting a random telephone survey with Cochrane residents over the age of 18.
The online survey will be available from April 7 to May 8. For more information, visit https://www.letstalkcochrane.ca/2026budget
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