On December 9, City Council approved the 2026 Operating Budget of $299.2 million and the 2026 Capital Budget of $215.9 million. To balance these budgets, Council approved a municipal tax adjustment of $4.2 million, or 4.6%. For the average household assessed at $614,000, this represents $115 per year, or about $9.59 per month.
What Does an Additional $9.59 Per Month Deliver for Residents?
The municipal tax adjustment of $9.59 per month supports critical services and major projects that keep Airdrie safe, connected, and thriving.
2026 Capital Investment Highlights
Lifecycle Airdrie’s $1.4 billion asset base
Grand Opening of the Highland Park Fire Station
First full year of operations at Inspire, Airdrie’s Multi-use Facility and Library
Assumed operation of the Animal Services Centre, ensuring local oversight and improved service for residents and their pets
Parks, facilities and pathway rehabilitation across the City
Fleet replacements and technology infrastructure
Road rehabilitation for a growing community
2026 Municipal Services Highlights
Continued investment in Fire and Emergency response, including 25 new Firefighters and 4 additional RCMP Officers
29.8 new positions to maintain service levels as Airdrie grows
Updates to the Family and Community Support Services strategy to support community programs
Operating grants to the Airdrie Public Library and Affordable Housing Limited
Advancing the Housing Action Plan and continuing efforts on the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
Technology upgrades to modernize operations and improve service delivery
Budget Facts
Municipalities cannot run deficits. Unlike other levels of government, cities are legally required to balance their budgets every year and cannot spend more than they bring in.
The amounts shown above reflect the municipal portion of residents property taxes, which is approximately 63% of the total bill. These funds stay in Airdrie to support local services such as roads, parks, emergency services, and recreation.
The remaining 37% of property taxes is directed to the Province for education (36%) and the Rocky View Foundation to support seniors’ housing (1%).
The City sets municipal tax rates through its annual budget process. In early 2026, the Province will advise on the amount required for education tax, which the City collects on its behalf. This amount is unknown at the time of the City’s budget approval and is not included in the monthly figure above.
While the City receives revenue from other sources, these fluctuate and are often restricted for specific uses. Property taxes are the only stable source of funding for our City. Property taxes provide predictable, ongoing revenue that allows the City to maintain services and plan for the future.
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
Additional information about the 2026 budget will be released in early 2026.
2025 Council approved budget
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
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.