Before the holidays, City of Chestermere Council approved an interim Operating Budget for the first quarter of 2022, using last year’s first-quarter budget numbers. The interim budget was passed to give Council and Administration time to gather additional information to build a budget based on Council’s new strategic vision for the year ahead. The strategic vision is expected to be released in early 2022.  

“We are taking a moment to pause and make sure the proposed budget aligns with Council’s prudent fiscal vision,” says Mayor Jeff Colvin. “Additionally, with a $5 million budget surplus realized from 2021, we can potentially offset costs in the new year.” 

This forecasted budget surplus could mean the City of Chestermere may invest more funding in community and social programs, staff training, financing of retroactive cost increases to RCMP contracts (if required), and a possible property tax reduction for residents in the future.  

Council will reconvene in February once a comparison between 2021 actuals and the proposed 2022 Operating Plan is reviewed. Once they have had time to consult with Administration on the City’s objectives for the coming year, Council will reassess and formally adopt a 2022 Operating Budget before the end of the first quarter.  

In addition to approving the 2022-2026 Capital Plan Budget, Council instructed Administration to present a full business case for all listed capital projects for approval before proceeding. In the case of projects spanning multiple years, an updated business case will be requested yearly before continuing the project.   

For more information and a copy of the 2022 Budget presentation, visit www.chestermere.ca/budget.