Didsbury, Alberta has given its roughly 5,200 residents a direct say in how the community spends its money next year. The Town of Didsbury launched its 2027 Budget Survey on August 4, 2026, inviting everyone to share what services and projects matter most to them before key decisions are made.
The survey is available now on the Town of Didsbury website. It asks residents to weigh in on spending priorities, from fixing roads and running recreation centres to supporting local groups like the library and museum. Town council says public input is key to building a budget that reflects the needs of the people it serves.
The timing of the survey lines up with a leadership change at town hall. Vanessa Van der Meer starts as the new Chief Administrative Officer on August 10, 2026. She takes over the top staff job just as administration begins shaping the 2027 spending plan, which council will debate and approve in the months ahead.
Residents can expect questions about where tax dollars should go. The town maintains 73 kilometres of roadways and runs facilities like the Didsbury Memorial Complex, the aquatic centre, and the municipal library. It also gives operating grants to community anchors such as the library, the museum, and the Lions bus service. Past surveys have asked whether people support raising taxes to keep services at current levels, cutting services to avoid tax hikes, or finding a middle ground.
The 2027 budget will be guided by the town’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, which focuses on Community Sustainability, Business Vitality, Infrastructure Management, and Operational Excellence. Mayor Chris Little and six councillors will use the survey results alongside other public input to set spending priorities for the coming year. Anyone who wants a voice in how Didsbury moves forward can take the survey now at didsbury.ca.
