The City of Airdrie is getting a passing grade when it comes to the Alberta Municipal Spending Watch Report.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business recently released the 10th edition of the report, which analyzes operating spending habits of Alberta’s 17 largest municipalities over a ten-year span.

This latest report has found that between 2007 and 2017, many of Alberta's largest municipalities have been increasing spending at unsustainable rates.

However, according to the report, the City of Airdrie is not one of them.

The CFIB says Airdrie is consistently one of the top performers in the report and ranks well each year.

This year, Airdrie ranks fourth overall, behind Cochrane, Okotoks, and Lloydminster who came in first through third, respectively. Rocky View County is ranked seventh.

The report takes into account the amount of municipal workers employed full-time as a factor in spending.

In 2017, Airdrie employed one full-time municipal worker for every 167 residents. In comparison, Strathcona County, which the report ranks as worst for sustainable spending, employs one full-time worker for every 61 residents.

“As the leader of Airdrie’s administration team, I am proud of how efficiently our small team provides over 30 services for a large population of residents,” says City Manager Paul Schulz. “All of our staff care so much about this community and doing great work for their neighbours – I think that’s why you see Airdrie consistently on top – because we have people who take ownership of their work and do their best to provide great service at a great value.”

Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown says council takes pride in putting forward fiscally responsible budgets each year.

“Although we feel confident in our choices, it is always good to have an independent source validate it,” says Brown.

Airdrie City Council is currently deliberating the 2020 budget, which will determine next year's property taxes for residents.

CFIB Policy Analyst Keyli Kosiorek says unsustainable municipal spending directly impacts taxpayers.

“Municipalities need to develop long-term plans to manage growth and spend within their means without increasing property taxes on residents and businesses,” says Kosiorek.

You can read the full Alberta Municipal Spending Watch Report HERE.

 

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