Calgary council approves budget, 3.6% property tax increase
CBC
City council has approved a 3.6 per cent increase in municipal property taxes for next year. The decision follows five days of debate on adjustments to next year's civic budget.
Previous budget discussions in 2022 resulted in a council-approved increase of 3.6 per cent for 2025, and on Friday, council stuck to the original figure.
The resulting property tax increase translates to about $8 more per month in residential property tax for the owner of a median-priced home worth $700,000.
The largest percentage change will fall to condo owners. Owners of a condo with a typical assessed value of $360,000 can expect to pay $1,370 annually — a notable 10.5 per cent increase.
The approved budget comes after voting on dozens of amendments, including using reserve funds for a new police gun range and the cost of paving more roads to avoid boosting next year's property tax increase even higher.
However, included in the budget adjustments is also a list of unfunded operating and capital investments the city says can't be accommodated currently due to what city administration calls "significant financial pressures and constraints."
These investments will be considered in future cycles should additional funding become available, according to the city.
The budget also includes a utility and service fee increase, meaning an estimated $5.09 in waste and recycling and water utilities per month, based on typical usage.
Calgary's budget adjustments were approved in a 9-6 vote, with council unanimously voting to forgo a debate on the budget overall late Friday following a week of budget talks.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says council "held the line" on the 3.6 per cent budget increase that was promised previously.
"The budget that we just passed represents a clear commitment to the people of Calgary," said Gondek.
"We had some very difficult and fiery discussions, and we made tough choices, choices that will help the city meet today's needs while planning for Calgary's future."
Gondek says council kept the budget as lean as it possibly could, while continuing to invest in things like pothole repairs, as well as addressing issues like public safety.
Other key investments include items such as planning for a new water treatment plant, upgrading wastewater facilities and feeder mains, and accelerating water conservation efforts through maintenance.
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