Cochrane's 2026 approved draft budget

Town Administration presented its draft 2026 budget at the November 3 Committee of the Whole meeting. The proposed budget outlines how the Town plans to maintain essential services, support a growing community and invest in Cochrane’s long-term sustainability. Our budget plays a key role in ensuring Cochrane remains a community of choice. When planning the budget, the Town estimates how much money will be spent (expenditures) to maintain public services and infrastructure, and how that money that will be generated (revenue) to meet the anticipated expenditures. Once these estimates are made and plans are set, staff develop the budget for Council’s consideration.

The proposed 2026 budget includes a 3.25% increase in the overall revenue requirement, which equals about $14.16 per month for the average household, based on an assessed home value of $680,700. Guided by resident feedback, the budget aims to balance inflationary pressures and community growth while maintaining the high-quality services and infrastructure Cochrane residents rely on.


Update

The 2026 draft budget was approved on December 8th, 2025. View the press release here

Following extensive deliberations and community engagement, Cochrane Town Council has approved the 2026 budget, arriving at a 4.07% municipal tax increase through a combination of targeted Council investments and strategic administrative reductions. The amended budget reflects Council’s priorities, protects essential services and maintains Cochrane’s long-term financial stability, all while limiting the impact on residents. For the average Cochrane home assessed at $680,700, this results in an increase of $15.96 per month, or $191.48 annually.

Cochrane residents can expect a budget that reflects Council’s priorities and direction while protecting the services they rely on every day.

Overall, the 2026 budget reflects Council’s priorities while maintaining the services residents rely on every day. Targeted investments strengthen high-demand areas, and the budget adds only the capacity needed to keep pace with growth. The final 4.07% increase supports long-term financial stability and ensures Cochrane remains well-positioned for the year ahead.


Next steps

The budget book will be available on cochrane.ca/budget in early 2026.


Town Administration presented its draft 2026 budget at the November 3 Committee of the Whole meeting. The proposed budget outlines how the Town plans to maintain essential services, support a growing community and invest in Cochrane’s long-term sustainability. Our budget plays a key role in ensuring Cochrane remains a community of choice. When planning the budget, the Town estimates how much money will be spent (expenditures) to maintain public services and infrastructure, and how that money that will be generated (revenue) to meet the anticipated expenditures. Once these estimates are made and plans are set, staff develop the budget for Council’s consideration.

The proposed 2026 budget includes a 3.25% increase in the overall revenue requirement, which equals about $14.16 per month for the average household, based on an assessed home value of $680,700. Guided by resident feedback, the budget aims to balance inflationary pressures and community growth while maintaining the high-quality services and infrastructure Cochrane residents rely on.


Update

The 2026 draft budget was approved on December 8th, 2025. View the press release here

Following extensive deliberations and community engagement, Cochrane Town Council has approved the 2026 budget, arriving at a 4.07% municipal tax increase through a combination of targeted Council investments and strategic administrative reductions. The amended budget reflects Council’s priorities, protects essential services and maintains Cochrane’s long-term financial stability, all while limiting the impact on residents. For the average Cochrane home assessed at $680,700, this results in an increase of $15.96 per month, or $191.48 annually.

Cochrane residents can expect a budget that reflects Council’s priorities and direction while protecting the services they rely on every day.

Overall, the 2026 budget reflects Council’s priorities while maintaining the services residents rely on every day. Targeted investments strengthen high-demand areas, and the budget adds only the capacity needed to keep pace with growth. The final 4.07% increase supports long-term financial stability and ensures Cochrane remains well-positioned for the year ahead.


Next steps

The budget book will be available on cochrane.ca/budget in early 2026.


Page last updated: 10 Dec 2025, 12:31 PM