Calgary city council has agreed to increase the tax rate on the ‘average home’ in the city by 4.4% in 2023..But that appears to be fluid, as per a release from the city: “To support businesses and our local economy, Council directed Administration to return early next year with further options regarding the distribution of residential and non-residential taxes for 2023. This is along with an examination of reserves and other funding sources which may be able available to reduce property taxes on a one-time basis in 2023.”.“Calgary collects only as much property tax revenue as needed to provide City services. As such, there will be an average annual increase of 3.7% over the next four years in the total amount of tax collected from existing properties.”.The 4.4% increase in 2023 and projected 3.7% annual increases thereafter are only the municipal portion and will increase when the provincial educational portion is announced in the spring..Additionally, the decision on the tax split between residential and non-residential properties that could change those figures has been postponed to early next year to consider possible alternatives after the council put forward an amendment..Currently, residential taxes make up 52% of the bill, with non-residential taxes covering the rest..Also approved were escalating annual operating budgets, which will reach $4.9 billion dollars by 2026..An amendment to the original budget proposal added $64.7 million in one-time funding, which came from a projected budget surplus of $65 million this year..Included in the amendment were $3 million to freeze Calgary transit fees for one year at 2022 levels; $3 million to eliminate transit fees for children under 12 in 2023; and $10 million for the Calgary Fire Department..Also receiving funding were Tourism Calgary, Vibrant Communities Calgary, Sport Calgary and the Calgary Parks Foundation..Coun. Evan Spencer said the agreed upon expenditures was a collaborative effort made last week after councillors heard from citizens, community groups and city partners..“We took what Calgarians told us last year and changed,” Spencer said. “We want to make sure we’re doing this right. But we’re balancing some pretty extreme priorities in terms of affordability and then also investing in this community to make sure we get where we want to be.”.One-time expenditures of $75 million included $20 million for pedestrian and bicycle networks and $20 million for the Foothills Fieldhouse..Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott introduced an amendment that will increase the proposed price for an annual Type 1 residential parking permit from $15 to $50..At the end of the day, the budget passed 10-5, with Coun. Jennifer Wyness, Coun. Andre Chabot, Coun. Dan McLean, Coun. Sandra Sharp and Coun. Sean Chu voting against it..Speaking to reporters, Chabot, who represents Ward 10, voiced his frustrations with the direction things were heading in.."It has become very clear that on this three-lane highway, members of council don't know what lane they're in," he said.
Calgary city council has agreed to increase the tax rate on the ‘average home’ in the city by 4.4% in 2023..But that appears to be fluid, as per a release from the city: “To support businesses and our local economy, Council directed Administration to return early next year with further options regarding the distribution of residential and non-residential taxes for 2023. This is along with an examination of reserves and other funding sources which may be able available to reduce property taxes on a one-time basis in 2023.”.“Calgary collects only as much property tax revenue as needed to provide City services. As such, there will be an average annual increase of 3.7% over the next four years in the total amount of tax collected from existing properties.”.The 4.4% increase in 2023 and projected 3.7% annual increases thereafter are only the municipal portion and will increase when the provincial educational portion is announced in the spring..Additionally, the decision on the tax split between residential and non-residential properties that could change those figures has been postponed to early next year to consider possible alternatives after the council put forward an amendment..Currently, residential taxes make up 52% of the bill, with non-residential taxes covering the rest..Also approved were escalating annual operating budgets, which will reach $4.9 billion dollars by 2026..An amendment to the original budget proposal added $64.7 million in one-time funding, which came from a projected budget surplus of $65 million this year..Included in the amendment were $3 million to freeze Calgary transit fees for one year at 2022 levels; $3 million to eliminate transit fees for children under 12 in 2023; and $10 million for the Calgary Fire Department..Also receiving funding were Tourism Calgary, Vibrant Communities Calgary, Sport Calgary and the Calgary Parks Foundation..Coun. Evan Spencer said the agreed upon expenditures was a collaborative effort made last week after councillors heard from citizens, community groups and city partners..“We took what Calgarians told us last year and changed,” Spencer said. “We want to make sure we’re doing this right. But we’re balancing some pretty extreme priorities in terms of affordability and then also investing in this community to make sure we get where we want to be.”.One-time expenditures of $75 million included $20 million for pedestrian and bicycle networks and $20 million for the Foothills Fieldhouse..Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott introduced an amendment that will increase the proposed price for an annual Type 1 residential parking permit from $15 to $50..At the end of the day, the budget passed 10-5, with Coun. Jennifer Wyness, Coun. Andre Chabot, Coun. Dan McLean, Coun. Sandra Sharp and Coun. Sean Chu voting against it..Speaking to reporters, Chabot, who represents Ward 10, voiced his frustrations with the direction things were heading in.."It has become very clear that on this three-lane highway, members of council don't know what lane they're in," he said.
