20.2% property tax increase required if Calgary funds all 2027 budget requests
The figures were included in a number of confidential, preliminary budget documents obtained by Global News after being presented to Calgary city council earlier this summer.
Calgary city council is considering funding requests that could lead to a substantial property tax increase in 2027, according to preliminary budget documents. The confidential documents suggest that property tax revenue would need to rise by 20.2% in order to cover an additional $510 million in operating spending for various city departments and partners.
If approved, this would result in further property tax hikes over the next four years, with increases of 8.5% in 2028, 9% in 2029, and 8.9% in 2030. The city has only $139 million in additional funding capacity to address these requests without raising property taxes. Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas stated that it is premature to discuss the exact property tax increase, emphasizing that council will prioritize funding essential infrastructure and public safety services.
However, some council members have expressed the need to cut up to $300 million from the preliminary spending plan to achieve a more acceptable property tax increase for residents.
Written by urgent.news from Global News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
