
On December 18th, 2024, Chestermere City Council passed motions to approve the City of Chestermere’s Capital and Interim Operating Budget, as well as the budget for for 1538974 Alberta Ltd. (the Utility Company).
Each year, the City of Chestermere prepares an annual capital budget and a 5-year capital plan. This plan helps maintain the City’s ability to deliver sustainable and reliable services to residents. The capital budget is funded through grants, restricted surplus accounts, offsite levies, and utility rates, while the operating budget is funded through property taxes, grants, investment revenue, and user fees. The utility budget is funded through user fees.
The 2025 Capital Budget is fully funded through grants and offsite levies, with no use of debt or withdrawal from restricted surplus accounts. The 2025 Interim Operating Budget is balanced with no anticipated increase to the municipal tax rate and no withdrawal from restricted surplus accounts. For more details on the 2025 Budget, please review the 2025 Budget Presentation and the December 18th Special Council Meeting.
Budget Highlights – Capital Budget
Chestermere’s Capital Budget for 2025 has been set at $25.1 million. The breakdown by department is as follows:
Corporate Services | $1,030,000 |
Growth and Infrastructure | $15,456,000 |
Operations | $2,395,200 |
Recreation | $389,829 |
Community Safety | $1,103,000 |
Utility | $4,727,120 |
The Capital Budget includes funding for important projects such as:
- Upgrade of Chestermere Blvd. between Rainbow Road and the City of Calgary boundary (pending grant funding and outcome of ongoing conversations).
- Completion of Merganser Drive West to connect Dawson’s Landing and Chelsea, as well as provide access to the new high school site.
- Preparing school sites for transfer to the appropriate school division.
- Planning of a new recreation center.
- Raised crosswalks in school zones for improved pedestrian safety.
- Paving of Sunset Beach parking lot.
Filter

Total 5 Year Capital Forecast
Read MoreBudget Highlights – Operating Budget
Chestermere’s Interim Operating Budget for 2025 has been set at $55.6 million. This budget ensures adequate funding for the operation and maintenance of the City of Chestermere. The operating budget funds a variety of City Services, including:
- Roads and Infrastructure
- Parks and Recreation
- Public Safety
- Administration
The City of Chestermere expects to collect approximately $38.7 million in taxes, of which $25.3 million (65% of the total) remains within the city to provide city services. The remaining $13.4 million (35% of the total) is transferred directly to the province as Education Taxes. Therefore, of the $55.6 million of expenditures in the Operating Budget, only $42.2 million is directly related to providing services to the residents of the city. The shortfall between expenses and revenue is funded through grants and user fees. No withdrawal from the restricted surplus is planned for 2025. Please see the 2025 Budget Presentation for more information.
The chart below provides a breakdown of how the Operating Budget is allocated:
Department | Expenses | % of Total |
Council | $611,868 | 1.10% |
Corporate Services | $11,325,886 | 20.38% |
Community Safety | $15,061,456 | 27.07% |
Community Operations | $8,372,484 | 15.06% |
Community Growth & Infrastructure | $6,151,532 | 11.07% |
Education Taxes & Other Requisitions | $14,033,790 | 25.24% |
Total | $55,557,016 | 100.00% |
The Operating Budget is interim as administration can only estimate revenues for 2025 at this point in the process. In the spring, once finalized assessment numbers are received, the City will work to finalize the property tax rate and adjust the budget accordingly to account for any changes in estimated revenue. As noted, at this point there is no anticipated increase to the property tax rate. However, residents may see their total tax bill increase due to an increase in assessment value of their property or due to changes in the provincial requisition for education taxes. More information will be provided at Final Budget in the spring of 2025.