City Manager’s Message
2009
was a year of recovery and growth for Airdrie. After the economic downfall of
2008, we had a tight budget to work within. We had to be creative. We had to
re-focus. We had to learn how to get the job done with the resources we had. Resourcefulness,
innovation and ingenuity from our City staff helped us achieve our goals.
We became more effective and efficient in many
processes and business practices helping the City to also improve service
delivery and maximize our resources.
A Year in Review
In
2009, we saw a turnaround of many key economic indicators. The City of Airdrie saw $201 million
in construction value in 2009 compared to $184 million in 2008. Permit levels
increased the second half of 2009, from the same period in 2008 with the
busiest month being November 2009.
The
City also celebrated many successes with the acknowledgement of two major
projects. The City was awarded for its exceptional AirdrieNOW website by the
International Economic Development Council, promoting the City of
Airdrie for business and
investment attraction. The City also was successful with the creation of our
online Census System. We received an international award for our census system
in the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association Exemplary systems in
Government in the Single Process category. These awards showcase the innovation
and entrepreneurial thinking at the City of
Airdrie.
Fiscal
Responsibility
Airdrie continues to be one of the most fiscally
responsible communities in
Alberta.
In comparison to five other similar municipalities in
Alberta, Airdrie has had the lowest average
net municipal property taxes per capita for the last few years in the latest
Financial Indicator Report. Airdrie is 27 percent lower than average and 47
percent below the group maximum. All operating costs are captured in that
statistic, regardless of how the service is delivered, which is particularly
meaningful as all municipalities deliver essentially the same services.
Administration is very proud to be delivering such
outstanding results to the residents of Airdrie. As recognition for our
reporting excellence, the City Finance Team has received the Canadian Award for
Financial Reporting. The award is for excellence in governmental accounting and
financial reporting and represents a significant accomplishment by a municipal
government and its management. This is the first time we have received this
award and we are very proud of our team for achieving this significant level of
success. This prestigious award reflects North American best practices for
annual financial reporting. We also won the Canadian Award for Financial
Reporting for financial reporting and high quality reports.
2010 Projects
and Budget
The 2010 budget focuses on responding to the
concerns in the 2009 Citizen Satisfaction Survey, concentrating on the top five mentions including: infrastructure, traffic, roads, train tracks, and
construction (54%); rapid growth management (15%); health care - not enough
hospitals, doctors, clinics (12%); snow removal (10%); crime - drugs/community
safety/lack of policing (7%).
Highlighted projects from the 2010 budget include:
• Construction of the Kings Heights Emergency
Services station is expected to begin in the spring
• New RCMP office space is expected to be under
construction by the fall of 2010
• Gymnastic facility retrofit at Ron Ebbesen Arena
• Completion of the Veterans Boulevard and widening of 8th Street
• Fleet
Bay expansion
• Plainsman Arena upgrade
• Three new RCMP officers
• Annexation proposal with Rocky View County to allow for implementation by
year end 2010
• A transit connection to Calgary should be launched by September 2010
• This summer the City will experiment with using
storm ponds for irrigation of City parks.
• Enhancements to Chinook Winds
Park will continue.
Another spray park will be added as part of our commitment to regional parks.
2010 will be another year or building our great
city with many more features and improvements for our citizens to enjoy!
Paul Schulz
Chief Administrative Officer, City of Airdrie
Email: City Manager
