Calgary property taxes could rise by about 23 per cent
07.11.2008 01:01
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- Source: cbc.ca
 Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier and Ald. Gord Lowe speak to reporters on Thursday. (CBC)Calgary homeowners may see a property tax increase of more than 23.3 per cent increase over the next three years.
City of Calgary staff unveiled a proposed three-year operating budget Thursday worth $7.9 billion – nearly $1.5 billion more than was spent in the last three years – with the largest expenditures on police, emergency services, and transportation. The extra spending is blamed on the city's recent unprecedented growth. "Protective services is a priority for this community," said Mayor Dave Bronconnier. "It costs money for those services, it costs money to protect the environment, and it costs money to run the transit system." To cover the bills, property taxes would have to rise 9.6 per cent in 2009, 6.8 per cent in 2010 and 6.9 per cent in 2011. For the average home valued at $430,000, that would mean paying an extra $99 in 2009, $78 on top of that in the second year and an additional $84 in the third year. The extra costs include: - An extra 242 police officers, 130 firefighters, 55 paramedics, 30 9-1-1 operators, and 15 bylaw officers.
- Another 290,000 hours of transit service, 30 peace officers to address safety on transit.
- Increased funding to maintain roads.
- Funding to maintain 400 new hectares of parkland in the city.
An additional $4 billion is earmarked for infrastructure. Ald. Gord Lowe, who was the main author of the document, said the budget is as trim as it can be. Lowe said he hasn't heard from Calgarians who want their fire, police or emergency medical services cut back. But Ald. Ric McIver said he'll be going over the numbers carefully with reductions in mind. "I'm not sure the citizens agree that he has done well enough yet," said McIver. "I work for the citizens and I'm going to have to try to do better for them." Garbage fees on agenda for meetingCouncil will vote on a final budget at a Nov. 21 meeting. Some budget money has already been spent. In September, city council fast-tracked a plan to spend $25 million to hire 201 more police officers over the next three years. Homeowners won't just be paying more in property taxes. Earlier this month, a committee also approved new garbage pickup fees, along with higher sewer and water fees, which are expected to pass easily at the Nov. 21 meeting. Factor in those and other user-fee increases, and the total impact on the average homeowner's monthly budget would be $24 in the first year, $16.50 more in the second and an additional $14.50 in the third. Watch Calgary's CBC News at Six on CBC-TV tonight for more on this story. RelatedInternal LinksCity hall presses on with $25M footbridgesHomeowners expected to pay more for garbage pickup, waterCity moves ahead to hire 201 officers in wake of fatal shootingCalgary council wrestles with 2008 property tax increaseProperty tax hike debate hits city hallExternal LinksCity of Calgary: 2009-2011 Proposed Business Plans & Budgets City of Calgary: Assessment & Taxes(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Consumer HeadlinesForget herbicides, weed-whackers: get some goats, study saysMunicipalities across the country should consider swapping herbicides for goat herds to control weeds on environmentally sensitive lands, a B.C. study has concluded.Pet food sickened dozens in U.S.Dry pet food contaminated with salmonella sickened at least 79 people over three years, U.S. health officials said Thursday while warning that pet food may be an underrecognized source of infections in humans, especially young children.Calgary property taxes could rise by about 23 per centCalgary homeowners may see a property tax increase of more than 23.3 per cent increase over the next three years. Ont. health officials investigate more E. coli cases The number of cases of E. coli under investigation in southern Ontario continues to rise as health officials try to identify a common food source.Cape Breton distillery toasts scotch shortageNova Scotia's only distiller is hoping to cash in on a worldwide craving for fancy whisky that's leaving shelves bare across Canada. Consumer Life FeaturesENERGYElectric trucksVancouver's Envia aims to energize fleet vehicles CONSUMERAuto salesHow to avoid car buyers' remorseSAFETYRecalls and AdvisoriesBLOGFood BytesTightening the belt before dinnerIN DEPTHPersonal financeWhat to do when you can't pay your billsCOMM-ODDITIESLuxuryBangkok hotel dishes out million-dollar mealPeople who read this also read …
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