The most recent Comparative Analysis from the Town of Coaldale shows the municipality is making positive and impactful financial choices.
The 2024 analysis compares the town to its peer and neighbouring municipalities in seven categories including revenues and operating expenditures, executive compensation, taxation and crime severity. According to the report, compared to its peer community Coaldale operates on a low revenue-low spend model, which according to the report means the municipality practices financial responsibility while also making sure essential services are being delivered efficiently. As well, according to the analysis over the past four years, Coaldale achieved a 1.8 per cent reduction in its non-residential mill rate and reported the third lowest decrease among its peer and neighbouring municipalities. As well over four years the residential mill rate was reduced by 12.9 per cent, the largest decrease among Coaldale’s peer municipalities.
Mayor Jack Van Rijn says doing the analysis on an annual basis is fundamental to make sure there is transparency within the community.
“Each year, it gives our residents and business owners an up-to-date birds-eye view of how the Town is being run, and reinforces our Council’s commitment to fiscal accountability, sustainable growth, and maintaining Coaldale as an attractive and affordable place to live and invest in,” Van Rijn says. “It’s essential for strategic planning and showcases our ongoing dedication to responsible governance.”
Director of Growth and Investment and Deputy CAO for the Town of Coaldale Cameron Mills says that It’s an invaluable tool for our administrative and elected teams, as they make decisions, optimize operations, and ultimately deliver better value to our residents and
businesses.
“By providing a deep dive into performance metrics that matter most to Town residents, the
Town’s Comparative Analysis distinguishes Coaldale from other municipalities across the
country”, Mills says.
According to the report, the Crime Severity Index has a reported score of 56.7, making Coaldale the safest municipality in the region and the fourth safest municipality with a population of 8,000-12,000 people in Western Canada.
