How are your tax dollars being invested into Chestermere’s future?
Chestermere City Council approved the 2025 Capital and Interim Operating Budget, along with the budget for the City’s utility company, during a Special Council Meeting on Dec. 18, 2024. The approved budgets focus on maintaining and improving city services without increasing the municipal tax rate or using debt or restricted savings.
A capital budget is similar to a city’s savings plan for major projects. It funds infrastructure and long-term investments, such as roads, buildings and recreation facilities. Just as a homeowner might save for a new roof, the City uses its capital budget to fund large projects that will benefit the community for years to come.
The $25.1-million capital budget for 2025 is fully funded through grants and off-site levies, ensuring no additional costs for taxpayers. Key projects include:
• Twinning Chestermere Boulevard (pending grant approval),
• Completing Merganser Drive West to connect neighbourhoods and a new high school, and
• Planning for a recreation centre.
Safety and accessibility improvements, such as raised crosswalks in school zones and paving the Sunset Beach parking lot, are also included.
An operating budget is like a household’s monthly expenses, covering the costs of running the City’s day-to-day operations, including roads, parks, public safety, and administration. The 2025 interim operating budget is set at $55.6 million. Out of the $38.7 million collected in taxes, 65 per cent will remain in Chestermere for local services, while 35 per cent will be forwarded to the province for education taxes.
Despite rising costs, the city has balanced the budget with no municipal tax increase. While residents may notice changes in their tax bills due to property reassessments or provincial education tax adjustments, the municipal portion will remain unchanged.
- The final budget and tax rate will be confirmed in spring 2025 once assessment numbers are finalized. For more information, including the full 2025 Budget Presentation, visit the City of Chestermere website.