Understanding Edmonton's Budget Process
Edmonton's budgeting process is long and complicated. With four-year budget discussions set for this December, it is important that Edmontonians know how their budget works, and the ways that they can get involved.
This page will share information on the City's budget process, when decisions will be made, and how you can get involved in shaping our City's course over the next four years.
Operating Budget
This budget keeps Edmonton running. This includes filling potholes, hiring firefighters, running libraries, and everything related to providing services to Edmontonians.
Capital Budget
This budget maintains our city. This includes building new facilities like recreation centres and police stations, rebuilding aging infrastructure through programs like neighbourhood renewal, and purchasing new buses and maintenance vehicles to keep up with our growing city.
Council's Priorities
City Council came together to decide on four priorities that would guide their work over the budget and for the rest of their term.
Economic Development
This priority includes supporting business investment in Edmonton and increasing tourism
Growth Management
This priority includes increasing housing and employment in Edmonton's nodes, focusing on renewal, and improving our transportation infrastructure
Safety
This priority includes preventing violence in Edmonton's public spaces and on our streets, as well as providing diverse housing options
Quality Services
This priority includes ensuring Edmonton's service delivery can keep up with our City's growth, making our city more efficient, and making sure Edmontonians feel proud of our city
Edmonton's Budget Timeline
Department Presentations
March
Every city department gave a presentation to Council last spring. These detailed how each department spends their money, which programs they run, and how their budgets have changed over time.
Find all of the presentations here
Public Engagement
April to June
The City of Edmonton hosted 12 budget engagement events across each of Edmonton's 12 wards last spring. Our office went a step further and hosted 6 additional engagement workshops all around Ward Sspomitapi.
Public Engagement Results Released
September
Ward Sspomitapi Engagement Results
City of Edmonton Engagement Results
Draft Budget Released
November 2nd
City staff are working to build the first draft of the budget. This will include ongoing projects and services, as well as those most related to Council's budget priorities.
Budget Public Hearings
November 23rd and 24th
Members of the public will have the opportunity to tell Council what they want to see out of the City's next budget during a two-day public hearing.
Signup to speak here
Council Budget Discussions
December 3rd to 18th
City Council will spend most of December debating changes to the draft budget. This will conclude on December 18th, with votes to accept or reject the operating and capital budgets.