Edmonton city council approves 6.6% property tax hike for 2024
CBC
Edmonton city council approved a 6.6 per cent property tax hike for 2024 on Tuesday as the city says it's trying to manage inflation and a growing population while maintaining and enhancing core services.
Council also approved tax levy increases of 5.3 per cent for 2025 and 4.7 per cent for 2026.
City administration had previously proposed a 7.09 per cent tax increase for next year.
"The tax levy increase will affect property owners differently, depending how their property's assessed value compares to the market," a city news release reads.
"An average Edmonton household would pay about $747 in property taxes for every $100,000 of their assessed home value in 2024, an increase of $46 compared to 2023. This equates to $8.71 per day."
The budget adjustments will allow most city services to stay at current levels, according to city staff.
Council also approved more than $16 million in increases to services.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said public safety is a crucial component of the city's efforts to improve quality of life.
Council approved a bigger police budget this year and increased the city's encampment response budget by more than $3 million.
The city is adding 160,000 hours of new bus service, which Sohi believes will improve transportation options.
"I think that it's important that we are reflecting Edmononians' needs in the budget by investing in an area where Edmontonians want us to invest," Sohi told reporters after the vote.
The budget increases also include $450,000 to expand library service at Heritage Valley in 2025.
Ward pihêsiwin councillor Tim Cartmell voted in favour of the adjustments but said he's not happy that it translates to only modest increases in some services.
"It's not something I support, it is not something I endorse," Cartmell said of the tax increase.
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