Major infrastructure projects are the focus of the 2020 draft budget presented to town council last night.

Over $40 million in projects makes this one of the steepest years in capital spending by the town as it continues to play catchup on the demands of rapid growth.

While road infrastructure is a major target, projects also include the long-awaited new protective services building, transit hub/innovation centre and the servicing of the future Horse Creek sports park.

A tax increase of 2.95 per cent is projected at this point. This amounts to $66 per year for a single-family home assessed at $479,900.

More substantial are increases in utility charges for water/sewer and waste/recycling collection.

When you include utility bumps, the increase climbs to $106.68 per year for an average single-family dwelling.

Average water and storm sewer fees are both increasing by nearly 5 per cent, sewer bills by nearly four per cent and waste and recycling collection by $5.56 per year, or 2.10 per cent.

Also, the town will be collecting more in electricity franchise fees than are included in your monthly bills. Last night, they increased it to 17 per cent from 15. Over three years they propose to climb the rate to 20 per cent. That amounts to a 25 per cent increase over what is being collected now.

While capital projects are on the climb, the town's operating budget is forecasted to decrease to $59.6 million, largely reflecting an economic slowdown. The town is forecasting growth of 2.25 per cent but optimistically expects it to increase to three per cent next year.

While 2020 is top of mind, the budget is a three-year projection. Town administration is forecasting tax increases will be 2.75 in 2021 and 2.50 in 2022.

Public engagement was launched today to garner feedback from the community. Residents can post their comments on the Let's Talk Cochrane platform. There are also two pop-up events at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.

Feedback will be collected until Nov. 13, in time for town councillors to review before council begins its budget deliberations on Nov. 18.