Rocky Mountain House town council completes intensive Service Level Review ahead of budget

The newly-elected Town of Rocky Mountain House council has wrapped up its inaugural Service Level Review.

The three-day intensive workshop with council and administration reviewed all 350 services provided by municipal staff.

“It was a very positive, productive and long three days,” said Mayor Shane Boniface. “Council looks forward to sharing the results of this intensive review during the upcoming budget meetings. We might not always agree on every detail, but we share a love for this place and that’s what keeps us moving forward.”

Administration officials say the ultimate goal of a Service Level Review is to ensure every member of council knows all the service levels of the municipality, and that administration understands the expectations of council.

It’s especially important this year, official note, as the majority of Rocky’s town council are new.

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Council will consider several new initiatives arising from the Service Level Review as part of the 2026 budget including:

An engineering plan based on the Riverview Concept plan with the intent to create an affordable area for new residential development
Exploring the idea of a new Civic Complex, combining recreation, government and cultural services in one facility
Examining the housing needs and supply of our community
Construction of an outhouse block in the active district (bike park/dog park area).

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Notably, Boniface indicated council will move to scrap a controversial discussion surrounding the potential of introducing residential infill lots at Lochearn Park.

In a public social media post, Boniface writes:

“Lochearn Park development is off the table. There was very good discussion dealing with this matter. In the end it was clear that any development of the Lochearn Park was just something that wasn’t wanted and we closed the book on it’s development. While I can not speak for future councils, who may decide differently, for this council it is a dead issue. And just so everyone knows it was a unanimous decision by all of council.”

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Council has also signaled it will not be moving forward with the town’s ambassador program in the 2026 budget.

Council’s discussions at Service Level Review will inform the draft 2026 budget to reflect its desired service levels and supports.

Rocky Mountain House council and administration meet for Service Level Reviews ahead of 2026 budget talks mid-December. (Town of Rocky Mountain House)

Going into 2026, officials say residents and business owners should watch for public engagement opportunities as council prepares a strategic plan for its term ahead.

Also in 2026, council expects to update its memorial bench and weed spraying policies to better reflect the needs of the community.

Council will also undertake further exploration of vacant land subclass mill rates and mill rates for properties not serviced by municipal water and wastewater utilities.

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