On November 19, 2024, City Council approved the 2025 Operating Budget of $228,826,130 and the 2025 Capital Budget of $174,674,612. To balance these budgets, Council approved a municipal tax adjustment of $3,931,500 or 4.74%. The average household in Airdrie will see a municipal tax increase and a utility decrease, resulting in a net household increase of $85.32 per year or $7.11 per month.
Capital Budget highlights
2025 Capital Investments - $6.53/month
Lifecycling the City’s $1.3 billion asset base
Grand Opening of the new Multi-Use Facility and Library, Inspire
Construction of Phase 1 of the new South West Recreation Centre
Preventative maintenance and facility equipment replacement at Veterans Fire Hall, Chinook Winds Fire Hall, City Hall, Ron Ebbesen Arena, the Plainsmen Arena and 2 Highland Park
Renovations of the main pool and dive tank at Genesis Place
West Parking Lot Toplift at Genesis Place
Updating fitness equipment at Genesis Place
Replacement of the acoustical panels at Genesis Place
Planned expansion of the Local Transit Fleet and ICE Fleet
Planned replacement of the Regional Transit Fleet
Many other capital projects which can be found in the budget book, detailed under section “2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan”
Operating Budget highlights
2025 Municipal Services - $2.85/month
One additional RCMP officer
Increased Transit service levels on the Local Fixed Routes and the Daily Regional
Enhanced pavement preservation through an expanded asphalt crack sealing program
An operating grant to the Airdrie Public Library as they move into an expanded Library space nearly four times larger than the current facility and offer increased programming, events and outreach to the community
As well as the increased services listed above, the 2025 budget includes the following City services:
Community Safety & Social Services
Airdrie Fire Department response & prevention
Law enforcement and crime prevention
Emergency management
Affordable housing projects
Not-for-profit support
Social well-being improvement
Community Infrastructure
Maintenance of over 147km of paved pathways, 1,700 acres of parkland and 85 playgrounds
Snow and ice control on Airdrie’s 716km of roads
Spring cleanup and street cleaning
Traffic control
Land development
Protection and enhancement of natural areas such as Nose Creek
Community Services
Access to the City’s various recreation facilities including Genesis Place, arenas and outdoor fields
Recreation programs such as swimming lessons, summer camps, adult fitness and wellness programs
Arts programs at Bert Church Theatre
Community events such as New Years Eve and Canada Day fireworks, AirdrieFEST and Cabin Fever
Strategic Growth & Investment
Access to public transit, including local bus services and regional services to CrossIron Mills and NE/Downtown Calgary
Downtown enhancement
Economic development and tourism
Business and investment attraction
Budget Facts
The main sources of revenue for the Operating Budget are:
User fees and charges
Franchise fees
Tax revenue
Cost sharing/joint use agreements
The main sources of revenue for the Capital Budget are:
Reserves
Developer levies
Debt (borrowed funds)
Grants
Cost sharing/joint use agreements
Enough revenue must be raised to cover expenses, debt servicing and transfers to reserves. The City is not allowed to run a deficit and needs a balanced budget each year. Municipal Government is the only level of government required to do so.
In 2024, 65% of property taxes will go to the municipality, 34% to the Province for education taxes and 1% to Rocky View Foundation. The tax revenue increase and effect on the average household addressed above refer to the municipal portion of the total property tax bill.
City Administration prepares a three-year operating budget and a ten-year capital budget driven by Council’s focus areas and corporate priorities.
The full budget breakdown will be available on this page when finalized.
2024 Council approved budget
After extensive Budget Deliberations, the 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets were approved by Council in November 2023. To balance these budgets, Council approved a combination of reduced expenditures, increased user fees, a draw from reserves to fund one-time expenditures and a municipal tax revenue increase of $5.2 million (consisting of $2.9 million for municipal services and $2.3 million for capital investments).
This will result in the average Airdrie household seeing an increase of $146.91 per year or $12.24 per month. This increase will go towards:
Municipal Services ($6.76 per month)
Four new RCMP officers
Four new firefighters
Two lifeguards
Increased service levels in all transit routes
A permanent Veterans Memorial
Increased advocacy efforts at the provincial and federal levels of government
Increased service level of anti-icing during winter road maintenance
Increased contribution to the Tax Stabilization Fund
Capital Investment ($5.48 per month)
Lifecycling of the City’s existing $1.3 billion asset base
New capital assets including a portable skateboard park, basketball courts, Fire dispatch system, road rehabilitation and intersection improvements
The Council approved Capital Budget includes:
The SW Recreation Centre – planning and design work in 2024 with construction beginning 2025
The artificial turf field at Ed Eggerer Park – constructed in 2024
The NE Fire Hall; construction begins in 2024
Ron Ebbesen Arena interior upgrades including the addition of a mini rink
Many more capital projects which can be found in the budget book, detailed under section “2024-2033 Capital Budget and Plan”
For more details on both the Operating and Capital Budgets, please see the 2024 Council Approved Budget Book.
The Council approved budget balances the City’s need for reserves and revenue, while providing services, infrastructure and amenities for a rapidly growing community.
These videos summarize how the City budget works and the annual process of finalizing the budget.