To better develop Cochrane’s 2025-2027 operating budget, residents are invited to provide their feedback on Cochrane services to have their say in Cochrane’s budget planning process.
Prior to drafting the budget, Town administration is looking to better understand the desired level of service in the community to ensure departmental business plans and budgets adequately reflect community demand, while designing service delivery in an effective, efficient, and financially sustainable way.
Executive director of corporate services for the Town of Cochrane, Stacy Loe, explains that engagement from Cochranites during this budget process continues to be a priority for local council and administration.
“We are looking for feedback on municipal services again this year so we can ensure that Cochrane’s budget reflects the service levels: what is working for you, what isn’t, and how we can best serve the people of Cochrane – today and into the future,” Loe said.
Cochrane operations affect residents, businesses, and other stakeholders on a daily basis. The survey lists Cochrane departments and residents can input whether their service levels should increase, decrease, or stay the same.
Following the adoption of the 2023 budget last year, council formed a Budget Task Force. The task force reviewed the current budget process and made recommendations for improvement. This led to an outsourcing of budget engagement to a third-party consultant who provided new results and statistics.
From the survey 57 per cent of respondents felt that they received good or excellent value from municipal services, with 50 per cent of respondents supporting an increase in taxes to maintain or increase services.
Additionally, the feedback helped create increased investment in parks, pathways, and roadways. It also boosted community safety through the addition of four more firefighters.
“Over the next few weeks, all Cochrane households will receive a postcard in the mail with a QR code and phone number inviting them to participate in the survey,” Loe said. “Some residents will also be contacted directly by phone. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, the survey will also be posted on our Let’s Talk Cochrane public engagement website.”
Through the Let’s Talk Cochrane engagement portal that launched last May, it has provided residents the chance to participate in a variety of projects and decisions for the community. From May to December of 2023, it garnered 12,145 visits and 775 new registrants.
According to the Town, a few of the most popular community engagements included the snowplow naming contest, Let’s Talk public engagement, Phase 1 of Envision Cochrane 2050, and the Age-Friendly Initiative.
“Cochrane Council and Administration are committed to finding new, better and more effective ways to receive input from residents on topics that affect the community,” added Loe. “Engaging Cochrane residents during the budget process has always been important as we build a budget that reflects the community needs. We want to hear what matters to you, and what kind of community you want to live in.
“This information will help build operational budgets for departments throughout the municipality.”
Survey results will be presented to council for consideration, along with the draft budget timeline and principles planned for presentation planned to council in May.
Following council’s direction, administration at the RancheHouse will draft the 2025-2027 budget over summer and provide a draft budget to council in fall. The budget will be debated in November, then finalized in December. This will guide service-level decisions for the next three years.
A capital budget will also be presented to council for consideration, which will provide specific funding for infrastructure projects, equipment, and fleets.
Residents can participate in the survey and provide feedback through a QR code or text link delivered to each residence later this week, or by visiting www.letstalkcochrane.ca. An external consultant, Advanis, will also be conducting a random telephone survey for Cochrane residents over the age of 18.
The online survey will be available from April 8 to May 8. For more information, please visit www.letstalkcochrane.ca/budgetsurvey.
