The City of Edmonton’s Operating Budget pays for the “operations” of civic services and programs. This includes the budget to pay staff for services such as transit, fire rescue, and police, as well as the gas that powers their fleet; for the lifeguards at pools and the cost to heat the water; and to pay for the tradespeople and the road materials to fix potholes.
The proposed budget was presented to Council on November 9, and was debated following a public hearing November 23. City Council approved the 2012 Operating Budget December 13, 2011.
The 2012 Budget of $1.88 billion will require an average increase of 5.39% in municipal property taxes, which includes 3.89% for civic services and 1.5% to continue the Neighbourhood Renewal Program.
The Executive Summary of the 2012 Approved Operating Budget summarizes costs, distribution of taxes and strategies for balancing the budget. Municipalities are not allowed to plan an operating deficit or budget for a surplus. The City only collects enough taxes to pay for budgeted services and programs, as identified by 2012 Revenue and Expenditures for tax-supported operations.
Changes to most user fees and City Council's budget amendments are listed in the Highlights of 2012 User Fees excerpt, in related documents.
The Approved 2012 Operating Budget contains details about the budget as approved by City Council on Dec. 13, 2011.
The 2012 program budgets are listed below:
Boards, Commissions and other Entities
Edmonton Combative Sports Commission
Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
Edmonton Space & Science Foundation
Building Great Neighbourhoods
Community Services
Community Services Department Overview
Corporate Programs
Corporate Services
Edmonton Economic Development Corporation
Edmonton Police Service
Edmonton Public Library
Financial Services
Infrastructure Services
Infrastructure Services Utilities Department Overview
Buildings and Landscape Services
Mayor and Councillor Offices
Office of the City Auditor
Office of the City Manager
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Department Overview