(Cochrane, AB) – Town administration presented the draft 2027 budget to Council on Monday, October 19, outlining a proposed financial plan focused on maintaining essential municipal services, investing in infrastructure and preparing for Cochrane's future.
Like many municipalities, Cochrane is facing increasing costs to deliver services, maintain aging infrastructure and prepare for future capital needs. The draft budget reflects a careful review of spending and opportunities for savings and efficiencies, while balancing the need to maintain essential services today with planning for future infrastructure needs.
Understanding the proposed household impact
The draft budget proposes a 9.68% increase in the municipal tax revenue requirement, along with changes to utility rates.
For a typical single-family property assessed at $674,800, the proposed changes would result in a combined increase of approximately $40.13 per month, or $481.51 annually, in municipal property taxes and utility charges.
The proposed monthly increase includes:
- $20.86 in municipal property taxes: $9.21 to support municipal services and $11.65 to help fund future municipal infrastructure maintenance and replacement.
- $19.27 in utility charges: $13.96 to address increasing costs for water, wastewater and other utility services, including wastewater treatment costs set by the City of Calgary, and a new $5.31 water infrastructure fee to help fund future infrastructure projects.
Together, $16.96 of the proposed monthly increase would be set aside in reserves to help fund future infrastructure maintenance and replacement.
Administration is also recommending using $3.46 million from the Town's General Operating Reserve for one-time initiatives, including transportation planning, community design guidelines and infrastructure assessments, avoiding the need to add these costs to the ongoing property tax requirement.
“We know residents are concerned about rising costs, and those concerns have been central to our budget discussions,” said Drew Hyndman, Chief Administrative Officer. “Our challenge is to maintain the services Cochrane relies on today while making sure we're prepared to build, repair and replace critical infrastructure our community will need in the future. This proposed budget makes investments in both, with a focus on long-term financial sustainability.”
Community feedback helped inform the draft budget. Earlier this year, 1,031 residents participated in an independent survey, identifying roads and transportation, parks and open spaces, and fire services as key priorities, alongside concerns about taxation, service levels and long-term financial sustainability.
Residents invited to explore the draft budget
To help residents better understand municipal finances and participate in the budget process, the Town is releasing the second edition of its Citizen's Budget Book alongside the draft budget. Previously released after budget approval, the resource explains how municipal budgets work, how services are funded and how financial decisions are made, giving residents more information before Council deliberations begin.
The Town is also taking a different approach to fall budget engagement, inviting residents to a family-friendly open house at The Station at Cochrane Crossing (360 Railway St W) on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can explore the draft budget, see how community feedback helped shape the recommendations and speak directly with Town staff. The event will also feature outdoor fall activities for families.
Residents are encouraged to review the draft budget and share their feedback at letstalkcochrane.ca/budget. Feedback will be compiled into a What We Heard report and shared with Council in advance of budget deliberations on November 10, 12 and 18.
Next steps
Council will consider administration's recommendations during budget deliberations on November 10, 12 and 18. No final budget decisions have been made.
To review the draft budget, access the Citizen's Budget Book and learn more about the fall open house, visit cochrane.ca/budget.