Each year, Town of Didsbury Council evaluates its strategic priorities and services levels to develop a budget that cares for our community. Input from Didsbury residents and businesses is sought throughout the year and greatly influences Council decisions relating to overall direction and especially in determining budget priorities.
Council aims to strike a balance between the services residents and visitors want, need, and use every day, and costs. Council has ambitious goals to make Didsbury an even better place to live and to make the community even more attractive for people, businesses, and visitors. Just as importantly, Council and Administration work to maintain affordability by keeping ongoing Town expenses as low as possible.
The process for creating a budget follows six steps:
Other timelines related to the budget
January - February Property Assessments
All properties in Didsbury are sent a notice of the assessed value of their property. This will determine each property's share of the total tax levy needed for the budget. Property owners have an opportunity to appeal their property's assessed value by the end of the assessment review period.
How does the Province impact property taxes?
Council waits for the release of the Provincial budget to determine what funding will be made available to the Town, prior to setting the final tax rates. The Government of Alberta determines the amount municipalities must collect from property taxes to help fund education in Alberta.
The Tax Rate Bylaw sets property tax rates for property owners. Property taxes are determined by multiplying individual property assessment values by the tax rates. Council sets the tax rate based on the required revenue needed to pay for Town services. For more information about property taxes, see here
The annual Tax Rate Bylaw is presented to council in April, after the provincial government has presented their annual budget and after property assessments have been completed. Council determines the total amount of municipal revenue that will be collected from commercial property taxes and from residential properties.
Amendments to the Budget
Changes to the operating and capital budgets are sometimes required as a result of new projects or changes in project estimates. Council approval is required for budget amendments which are made when there is a significant impact to the budget from a known event, such as bringing a new service online or changing the scope of a capital project.
Financial Reporting
Budget to Actual comparisons are reported quarterly in the Chief Administrative Officer's reports to Council. The Town’s financial statements are audited annually and presented to Council by April 30.
