DIDSBURY - The Town of Didsbury's council has approved the municipality's 2025 operating budget, which will see revenues from taxes increase 3.93 per cent over 2024.
The move came by way of motion at the March 26 council meeting, held in person and online. The 2025 tax rate bylaw has yet to be set.
The approved budget calls for total estimated revenues of $13,690,587, with revenue from taxes totalling $5,445,950, and total estimated expenditures of $13,690,587.
“I want to thank administration and council for keeping this under four per cent, which was the task at hand,” said mayor Rhonda Hunter.
The net municipal tax levy of $5,445,950 in 2025 equates to an increase of $206,088 or 3.93 per cent.
The educational property tax requisition for 2025 is $2,094,437, which is a 15 per cent increase over the prior year, which was $1,828,694.
The Mountain View Seniors’ Housing requisition for 2025 is $283,573, which is a 6.5 per cent increase over the prior year, which was $266,373.
Regarding assessments in town, Amanda Riley, acting chief administrative officer, told council, “Yes, there has been an assessment increase across the board for, I would say, probably every property in town.”
Total proposed revenues (less taxes) are set at $8,244,637, up from $7,919,264 in 2024.
Revenues include $3,668,414 from utility user charges, $1,460,428 from government operating grants, $1,326,532 from sales and user fees, $925,000 from franchise fees, $155,500 from permit fees, and $106,000 transfers from revenues, down from $3,77,953 in 2024.
Expenditures total $13,690,587, up from $13,159,126 last year.
Council expenditures are $296,976 (down 3.3 per cent from last year), RCMP are $978,843 (up 1.7 per cent), fire department $728,164 (up 10.8 per cent), and municipal enforcement $357,775 (down 4.3 per cent).
On the recreation side, arena expenditures are $829,351 (up 2.4 per cent), aquatics $903,494 (up 3.4 per cent), curling rink $195,537 (up 5 per cent), parks $321,359 (down 2.5 per cent), and Memorial Complex $225,155 (up 0.9 per cent).
Engineering and Infrastructure expenditures total $2,056,253, up 7.5 per cent.
Library expenditure totals $343,359, up 6.8 per cent from last year.
