Town of Coaldale releases 2024 comparative analysis

Posted on July 10, 2025 by Sunny South News

Town of Coaldale

On June 2, the Town of Coaldale officially released its 2024 Comparative Analysis – an annual report that compares Coaldale’s operational and financial performance to the operational and financial performances of nine other similarly-sized and neighbouring municipalities.

In keeping with the Town’s 2023 analysis, the Town’s 2024 analysis compares Coaldale to its peer and neighbouring municipalities across seven benchmarks: total revenues and operating expenditures; salaries, wages, and benefits; executive compensation; taxation; assessment growth; population growth; and crime severity.

“Conducting this analysis on annual basis is fundamental for ensuring transparency and informed decision-making”, said Town of Coaldale Mayor, Jack Van Rijn. “Each year, it gives our residents and business owners an up-to-date birds-eye view of how the town is being run, and reinforces our council’s commitment to fiscal accountability, sustainable growth, and maintaining Coaldale as an attractive and affordable place to live and invest in. It’s essential for strategic planning and showcases our ongoing dedication to responsible governance.”

Key findings highlighted in the report include

1. When compared to its peer and neighbouring municipalities, Coaldale operates on a low revenue-low spend model, meaning that it maintains financial responsibility while ensuring essential services are delivered efficiently.

2. Coaldale has a 1:0.8 revenue-expenditure ratio, giving it the ability to cover day-to-day operational costs and save for long-term capital investments.

3. Over the past four years, Coaldale achieved a 1.8 per cent reduction in its non-residential mill rate – the third lowest decrease among its peer and neighbouring municipalities

4. Over the past four years, Coaldale achieved a 12.9 per cent reduction in its residential mill rate – the largest decrease among its peer/competitor municipalities.

5. With a Crime Severity Index (CSI) score of 56.7, Coaldale remains the safest municipality in its region and the fourth safest municipality its size (between 8,000-12,000) in western Canada.

“By providing a deep dive into performance metrics that matter most to town residents, the Town’s comparative analysis distinguishes Coaldale from other municipalities across the country”, said Cameron Mills, Director of Growth and Investment and Deputy CAO for the Town of Coaldale. “It’s an invaluable tool for our administrative and elected teams, helping guide informed decisions, optimize operations, and ultimately deliver better value to our residents and businesses.”

To read the Town of Coaldale’s 2024 Comparative Analysis, please visit: https://www.coaldale.ca/ComparativeAnalysis.