The Town of Didsbury Council has approved its 2025 operating budget, balancing $13,690,587 in estimated revenues and expenditures. The budget, passed during the Regular Council Meeting on March 26, 2025, follows the earlier approval of the 2025 Capital Budget on December 10, 2024.
The operating budget includes $5,445,950 in tax revenue, reflecting a 3.93 per cent increase over 2024, amounting to an additional $206,088. As part of the Administration’s presentation to Council, a cross-sample of residential and non-residential properties was used to demonstrate the expected impact on ratepayers compared to 2024.
With higher property assessments across the board, some homeowners may see an increase in their tax bills. "Most property assessments are higher this year," said Mayor Rhonda Hunter. "To homeowners, this means their properties are worth more." Hunter explained that new development over the past few years has led to a significant increase in new assessments, which will help offset taxes across the board.
The exact impact on both residential and non-residential property owners remains unclear until the Tax Rate Bylaw is approved. "The Tax Rate Bylaw, which determines the amount of taxes, will come forward for first reading in the coming weeks," Hunter said. She also emphasized that Education Property Taxes, which are collected by the Town on behalf of the Province of Alberta, are not part of the Town's operating budget. "We send them directly to the Province, and we do not control the amounts," she added.
One of the most notable changes in the 2025 budget is the addition of a full-time Fire Chief to enhance protective services and oversee Protective Services and Emergency Management. "Meeting service level expectations of our citizens is a focus of all operating budgets," said Hunter.
The budget also includes a $1,395,175 transfer to reserves, which the Mayor described as "an investment into the future."
"The Town’s operating budget funds and supports daily operations for all departments and helps ensure that we are meeting the service level and infrastructure needs of the Town, its residents, businesses, and visitors," Hunter said. "We believe we have delivered a budget that will meet the needs of the town’s 2025 administration and operations and will meet service level expectations of our ratepayers."
Meeting service level expectations remains a priority for the Town’s administration as they prepare for future growth. Further updates on the Tax Rate Bylaw and its impact on ratepayers are expected in the coming weeks.
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