Airdrie Minute: Flag Request, Big Surplus, and a Social Needs Survey

Airdrie Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Airdrie politics

This Week In Airdrie:

• On Tuesday, at 11:00 am, there will be a City Council Meeting. The meeting begins with a closed session, wherein Council will discuss a Capital Budget Amendment, an Agreement Update, the Appointment of Citizen Member Representatives to the Policing Committee, and the Appointment of Council Representatives to the Policing Committee. The public portion of the meeting begins at 1:00 pm - on the agenda are amendments to the City’s flag policy. Council is also being asked to approve raising the transgender flag on March 31st, 2025 on the temporary flag pole in Nose Creek Park to observe Transgender Day of Visibility.
  
  
• Numbers show that Airdrie ended 2024 with a $5.8 million surplus, far exceeding the $1.7 million projected in Q3. While revenue from property taxes, user charges, and grants outperformed expectations, wage costs exceeded the budget by $2.7 million. Administration is recommending allocating the surplus to capital and operating reserves rather than tax stabilization. Airdrie also reduced its debt from $65.5 million to $59 million, though future borrowing may increase to support infrastructure needs. Council will finalize surplus allocations following the City's financial audit in April.
  
  
• The City is running the 2025 Social Needs Assessment Survey to evaluate the community’s social services and identify key gaps. The survey builds on previous studies, including the Social Well-Being Survey and the Houselessness Estimation Study, to provide a comprehensive understanding of local needs. Mayor Peter Brown emphasized the importance of community input in shaping future social investments. Residents are encouraged to participate to help strengthen support services and improve overall well-being. You can fill it out online until March 30th.

Last Week In Airdrie:

• FortisAlberta has donated $100,000 to the Airdrie Public Library to support the expansion of its collection as it moves into a new facility. In recognition of the contribution, FortisAlberta will receive naming rights for the library's multi-purpose room. The Library Board expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from businesses and encouraged further donations to help reach the $1.5 million fundraising goal. The new library remains on track for completion in the fall.
  
  
• The Alberta government has allocated planning funds for a new K-9 school in Airdrie’s Lanark community as part of its latest school infrastructure investment. Rocky View Schools (RVS) also secured planning funds for a high school in Chestermere to address rapid enrollment growth. Additional schools in Bayview and South Windsong are already funded for construction, with estimated openings between 2027 and 2028. The province’s broader plan includes funding 41 new school projects, adding over 200,000 student spaces across Alberta in the next seven years.
  
  
• The Province has earmarked $363 million over three years for road and bridge projects in the South region, including Airdrie. Notable investments include $9 million for the QEII Highway and 40th Avenue interchange in Airdrie and $92 million for the Highway 2 Balzac Interchange Replacement. The broader transportation budget includes $8.5 billion for infrastructure, with significant funding for projects in Calgary and Edmonton.