7% tax hike on table as Edmonton city council begins 2024 budget debate
CBC
Property owners in Edmonton face a 7.09 per cent tax increase for 2024 as the city says it's trying to manage inflation, a growing population and the maintenance and enhancement of core services.
Budget deliberations started Tuesday at city hall, where council will discuss the need for the hike, which is up from the nearly 5 per cent they approved last year.
Andre Corbould, the city manager, outlined the reasons for the adjustments, including inflation, utilities, an increase in police salaries and parks and roads services.
He said administration recognizes that it's a difficult request.
"We also know that when we ask for funds from Edmontonians, we need to be clear about how they're spent."
Part of the proposed increase would go toward filling a nearly $44 million funding gap for police, including a $19.7 million in salary increases agreed on in an arbitrated settlement earlier this year.
Another $11.8 million is approved in the police funding formula alongside $2.9 million for the health streets community hub in Chinatown.
Police take up the biggest portion of the city's operating budget at 15.2 per cent, followed by transit at 12.5.
Council is scheduled to discuss and vote on the budget adjustments by Nov. 29.
If the change is approved, Edmonton homeowners will pay about $750 in property taxes for every $100,000 of their home's assessed value in 2024.
Homeowners paid $701 in taxes for every $100,000 of assessed value this year.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said it's important to invest in public safety and transit while trying to keep taxes as low as possible.
"I hear from Edmontonians that they're struggling, where their day to day expenses, they're making some tough choices and we will have to make some tough choices."
Before budget deliberations began, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce sent a release to media, expressing worry that some local businesses wouldn't survive a seven per cent increase.