At the December 16 Regular Council meeting, the Mayor and Council approved the 2025 Property Tax-Supported Operating Budget, totalling $22.04 million, which includes requisitions, alongside the 2025 Capital Budget of $4.95 million.

The Operating Budget is crafted with a four-year outlook, reviewed and approved annually to ensure responsive financial management. The Capital Budget is a ten-year Capital Plan that provides Council with a high-level perspective of anticipated capital needs over the next decade.  This long-term financial planning establishes a solid framework for handling future projects and initiatives.

Property owners in Drumheller will experience a 3% increase in tax revenue in 2025. With the average assessed value of residential properties in Drumheller estimated at $234,000 in 2024, this 3% increase in municipal tax would result in an additional $63.70 per year per household, assuming no other changes in property values for 2025. Property tax notices from the Town and assessments, which are done by Wild Rose Assessment Services, will be mailed in the late spring of 2025.

“As your elected representatives, we are tasked with making the difficult decision of increasing property taxes. We see how much costs are rising in all areas of our day-to-day lives. Inevitably, taxes do have to increase to support rising costs. However, we tasked Administration with making necessary adjustments to avoid a larger tax increase other similar municipalities are facing,” explains Councillor Tony Lacher. “Despite relying on a small amount from municipal reserves to offset a larger rise, we are pleased with moving forward with a 3% increase to property taxes. Administration worked hard on diligently evaluating their areas to limit increases.”

Administration researched budget increases proposed by comparable municipalities in Alberta. Among five selected towns—Strathmore, Morinville, Banff, Canmore, and Blackfalds—the average increase is 5.21%. Notably, Blackfalds, Morinville, and Strathmore have already approved their 2025 budgets, while deliberations for Banff and Canmore are ongoing.

Municipality	Population	Approved/*Proposed Increase
Blackfalds	11,530	5.00%
Morinville	10,442	5.82%
*Banff	8,905	*6.00%
*Canmore	14,530	*5.6%
Strathmore	14,853	3.62%

 

“Provincial requisitions for RCMP, Education and Seniors’ Lodging are not something the Town can control,” shares Chief Administrative Officer, Darryl Drohomerski, when the $5.727 million, or 26% of the operating budget, for these requestions were presented. “We, and all other municipalities, are obligated to collect and then remit to the respective authorities.”

The approved 2025 Capital Budget encompasses 30 projects, amounting to $4.95 million. Of this, approximately $1.9 million will be funded through capital grants from federal and provincial initiatives. It is important to note that the Capital Budget excludes projects managed by the Water and Wastewater Department, as these are funded through user fees, as outlined in the Utilities Rate Bylaw.

Noteworthy Capital Projects include:

• Street Improvement Plan, including the 6 Ave Extension
• Design of Center Street for the Downtown Area Revitalization Project
• Drumheller Parade Float
• Repairs to the hot tub at the Drumheller Aquaplex
• Landscaping at the Starmine Suspension Bridge

The Capital Budget includes “carry-forward” projects that received prior approval from Council in 2024, totalling $6.08 million, with an expected completion date of December 31, 2025.

Notably, the total capital project budget has decreased by about 33% from last year. Administration believes that the 2025 10-year Capital Budget will not require additional financing, provided that the 3.00% increase in general taxation revenue is realized to keep pace with inflation.

Both the Operating and Capital Budgets can be reviewed here.