Rocky Mountain House’s 2025 audited financial statements show the town remains on solid financial footing.
An administration report shows the town finished the year with $25.3 million in operating revenue — 2.8 per cent higher than council’s approved budget.
The additional $679,886 in cash comes as capital expenditures were 5.5 per cent below budget, with the town spending more than $1.8 million less than expected.
A number of factors contributed, including a two per cent tax increase which brought in an additional $258,949 in revenue over 2024, with net taxation reaching just over $10 million.
Increased income also came from a $70,000 rise in new building permits — 51 per cent above budget — and higher user fees at town-run facilities, which were up 2.8 per cent.
Contributions and sponsorships also rose sharply by 212 per cent, driven by a $150,000 contribution from the Helen Hunley Society to the Rocky Bike Park Society.
Compared with 2024, the town saved $247,000 in protective services, mostly due to staff vacancies throughout 2025. Additionally, as the town’s new wastewater treatment plant remains under construction, $498,000 in its operations budget was not used.
Finance manager Deb Bodnar also pointed to an 11 per cent increase in government transfers over 2024, with additional provincial and federal dollars flowing into town through programs such as a new recycling initiative, a policing study and the hiring of an energy manager.
Bodnar also says revenues were up 75 per cent in government-owned Grants in Place of Taxes (GIPOT) buildings.
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Despite the overall positive picture, there were a number of items that went over budget.
Revenue from franchise fees on tax-exempt buildings was $62,000 below budget projections.
Betty Quinlan, director of Corporate Services said franchise fees can be hard to budget, since factors like mild winter weather can affect revenue.
Due to the 2025 municipal election, legislative services exceeded its budget by $18,000.
Waste management was also $19,000 over budget due to unbudgeted costs related to the Clean Energy Improvement Program. Parks and recreation exceeded its budget by about $209,700, partly due to increased demand at the pool and a $100,000 Recreation Master Plan completed in 2025.
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Deputy Mayor Dale Shippelt applauded the work administration put into the report, saying its little wonder the town won a financial reporting award for a sixth year in a row.
The report was accepted unanimously by council.
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