Edmonton city council approves 6.6% property tax hike for 2024
Natasha Riebe | CBC News | Posted: November 28, 2023 7:51 PM | Last Updated: November 28, 2023
City had previously proposed 7.09 per cent increase for next year
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.
- 7% tax hike on table as Edmonton city council begins 2024 budget debate
- Why Edmonton is facing a 7% property tax hike
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.
Safety focus
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.
Cartmell also expressed the need to invest in and improve safety.
The police budget accounts for the biggest piece of the city's operating budget, and is taking a 1.6 per cent share of the increase.
"I really hope we start seeing some results because that's the next step in this public safety equation," Cartmell said.
"On transit, in Churchill Square, in the park down the street, walking from their office to their car, walking from the school to the bus station — I want people to feel safe and secure. "
Ward Sspomitapi councillor Jo-Anne Wright said she was pleased that council is funding positions to staff Edmonton's anti-racism strategy office.
"I think in light of the conflicts that are going on in our world today, I think it's even more important now to have this so we can all work together to make this a better city," she said.
Councillors Karen Principe and Jennifer Rice voted against the capital budget adjustment.
Principe had suggested cutting the bike lane budget in half to $50 million over the next three years but that motion failed.
Rice was the only dissenting voice in the operating budget vote of 12-1.
Council also approved several capital adjustments, resulting in a $105 million increase to the capital budget, including:
- $15.8 million to buy 20 new diesel buses.
- $22.9 million to deliver affordable housing projects and take advantage of available funding from other orders of government.
- $15.3 million for critical renewal projects, including technology and equipment such as cellular service in LRT tunnels and police equipment.
City administration is also tasked with finding $240 million in savings over the four-year budget, and so far, has found less than $20 million.
Councillors say they will try to bring down the tax levy in April.