Global News Edmonton has reported:

Edmonton’s draft 2027-2030 budget proposes year-over-year property tax increases alongside higher spending on city services and infrastructure, drawing both support and concern. The fiscal plan was released Monday, and council is scheduled to approve it by Dec. 18, after a public hearing and debate that could change the proposed increases.

The City of Edmonton’s operating budget sets property tax increases at 4.9 per cent next year, 4.7 per cent in 2028, 4.5 per cent the following year and 3.9 per cent in 2030. Alberta’s average inflation rate so far this year is 3.1 per cent.

The proposed levy would amount to about $68 per month for every $100,000 of assessed home value in 2027. The owner of a home assessed at $500,000 would pay $340 monthly, about $18 more per month than before.

Mayor Andrew Knack said he was still reviewing the budget but was encouraged by the proposed pace of increases. “What was really important to me was not seeing increases at the same level we saw over the last four years,” Knack said. “Those increases from 2023 to 2026 were some of the highest in more than a decade and people wanted to see us bring that back down, and so you’ll see a gradual reduction.”

Speaking to reporters outside council chambers on Tuesday, Knack said the additional cost should be moderate and tied to improvements. “For me, it was about if I’m gonna ask for more, it needs to be a moderate amount,” he said. “I think 20 bucks a month more is a moderate amount, and it needs to make sure it’s providing real service improvements for Edmontonians.”

Those improvements include increased snow clearing, faster removal of windrows and more winter blading, as well as additional funding for police and five new fire halls. Knack said council had set priorities to guide spending. “We needed to set a new foundation and we started that by going through and approving the strategic priorities and focusing all of our spending on economic development, safety, growth management and quality services,” he said.

Some residents questioned whether the proposed tax burden is manageable. Mike Evans, a homeowner in the Glenora neighbourhood, said he accepts the need for taxes but is concerned about the size of the increase. “I think taxes are the price we pay for civilization - but when the tax increase is twice the rate of inflation, I know that creates problems for people on fixed incomes or people who are house-rich and income-poor,” he told Global News.

Ward tastawiyiniwak Coun. Karen Principe called for greater attention to core services and efficiency. “We need to take a stronger stand on focusing on the core services, finding ways to be more efficient, finding ways to decrease the amount we must increase the taxes because it’s been too much,” she told Global News. Evans also questioned the city’s approach to taxation and governance. “I think the city has to do a better job of coming up with a tax scheme and governing for all citizens, and I’m not confident they do that,” he said.

A public hearing on the draft budget is set for Nov. 23, followed by council debate, during which the proposed property tax increases may change. Separate utility budgets covering waste services, Blatchford Renewable Energy and Downtown District Energy are due to be released Nov. 12 and presented to the Utility Committee on Nov. 26. Council plans to approve the overall budget by Dec. 18.