(Cochrane, AB) — Following extensive deliberations and community engagement, Cochrane Town Council has approved the 2026 budget, arriving at a 4.07% municipal tax increase through a combination of targeted Council investments and strategic administrative reductions. The amended budget reflects Council’s priorities, protects essential services and maintains Cochrane’s long-term financial stability, all while limiting the impact on residents. For the average Cochrane home assessed at $680,700, this results in an increase of $15.96 per month, or $191.48 annually.
“This budget is our first step to fulfilling the commitments your new Council made during the recent municipal election. We’ve listened to residents, recognized the pressures of a growing community and agreed that Cochrane can’t afford to stand still," said Mayor Nagel. “The 2026 budget takes important steps to get ahead of our growth challenges — from improving traffic flow and planning new recreation facilities to strengthening our infrastructure and parks. At the same time, we’ve worked hard to stay financially responsible by adjusting capital spending and avoiding unnecessary debt. This budget positions us to deliver on the promises we were elected to act on and ensures we are planning responsibly for Cochrane’s future.”
“Council asked us to protect service levels while keeping the financial impact low, and this budget reflects that direction,” added Interim CAO Drew Hyndman. “We focused our reductions on internal efficiencies, avoided cuts to frontline programs and maintained the investments needed to keep our infrastructure safe and reliable. The result is a responsible and sustainable plan that supports Cochrane today while preparing us for the pressures and opportunities that lie ahead.”
During budget deliberations, Council introduced a set of targeted additions to support core services and community needs. These included added seasonal parks staff to meet increased use and elevate service levels; the addition of a capital planning resource to improve the Town’s ability to plan and deliver major infrastructure projects; a risk mitigation and compliance role to strengthen oversight and decision-making; and an increased contribution to reserves, including a new Parks & Recreation Reserve, to build long-term fiscal resilience. These additions initially brought the overall revenue requirement to 5.12%.
To help keep costs down for residents, Administration completed a thorough review to identify savings. Through internal efficiencies, operational reductions, an updated pension contribution forecast and delaying non-urgent initiatives, the overall impact was reduced by 1.05%, resulting in the final 4.07% recommendation. These changes do not affect approved service levels or frontline programs.
Council also confirmed two adjustments to the 2026 capital plan. A one-time investment of $100,000 will support wayfinding installation across key areas of Cochrane, improving navigation and enhancing the visitor experience. Additionally, $65,000 from the new Parks & Recreation Reserve will fund additional fencing at the Jim Uffelmann Memorial Park parking lot to increase user safety and better manage demand, with no impact on the tax-supported budget.
Rate-supported utility budgets — including water, wastewater, and stormwater — remain stable and fully cost-recovered. No changes were made during deliberations, ensuring these systems continue to operate without support from property taxes.
Cochrane residents can expect a budget that reflects Council’s priorities and direction while protecting the services they rely on every day.
Overall, the 2026 budget reflects Council’s priorities while maintaining the services residents rely on every day. Targeted investments strengthen high-demand areas, and the budget adds only the capacity needed to keep pace with growth. The final 4.07% increase supports long-term financial stability and ensures Cochrane remains well-positioned for the year ahead.
The budget book will be available on cochrane.ca/budget in early 2026.