Bahrain Telegraph - Calgary Councillors Prioritize Affordability Ahead of Nov. 10 Budget Release

Calgary city councillors are preparing to scrutinize the upcoming municipal budget with a primary focus on affordability and tangible service outcomes. With official documents set for release on November 10, officials have indicated that while significant investments in infrastructure and safety are required, there is strong political resistance to the high property tax increases initially projected by city administration.

The release of the budget documents marks the beginning of an intense two-week period involving public submissions, town halls, and the drafting of amendments to shape the financial plan for the next four years. Earlier this year, city council approved a preliminary scenario directed at city administration, which contemplated consecutive property tax revenue increases of 15 per cent in 2027, 12.5 per cent in 2028, nine per cent in 2029, and six per cent in 2030.

Despite the initial projection, there has been no indication from councillors that they will accept these figures without modification. Mayor Jeromy Farkas acknowledged the necessity of addressing immediate needs but emphasized a commitment to managing the financial burden on residents.

"There’s significant investments that’ll be required to be able to catch up on our immediate and acute needs and supporting our police service, our Calgary firefighters, our essential infrastructure deficit," Farkas said. "But that said, I’m going to be going in eyes wide open to the affordability challenges that we’re facing."

The mayor stated he is focused on outcomes rather than specific tax percentages. He noted that achieving goals such as addressing the infrastructure deficit and meeting public safety expectations will require collaboration with the Calgary Fire Department, the Calgary Police Service, civic partners, and the public. "There’s always trade-offs," Farkas said.

Councillors are expected to clear their schedules for two weeks starting November 23 to manage a steady stream of public hearings and extended debates. Ward 13 Councillor Dan McLean expressed strong opposition to the projected double-digit increases, calling them unacceptable for residents who can afford them the least.

McLean outlined specific areas where he intends to target funding cuts to mitigate tax hikes. He identified Calgary’s $35 million Safer Together funding as a priority for review, arguing that it duplicates the work of police and fire services. He also criticized the $40 million allocated to downtown conversion programs, suggesting that the city is spending hundreds of millions on projects that the private sector could handle more efficiently.

"If you want to decrease the vacancy rates downtown, just knock that building down," McLean said. "They’re old, Class-C buildings. They should just be knocked down. Put a park or a Superstore there, not an ugly office conversion."

Ward 2 Councillor Jennifer Wyness agreed with McLean’s assessment of the downtown funding and emphasized the need for council to focus on deliverables. She highlighted the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse project, which has $109 million in reserve waiting for federal and provincial support. Wyness stated she would bring forward an amendment to free up that cash for projects that can be delivered immediately.

Wyness also addressed the potential for a 15 per cent property tax increase, suggesting that residents will see it was merely a wish list rather than a final figure. "Calgarians get to watch whether that was a wish list or the actual budget, and they’re going to see it wasn’t a wish list because council is going to have to spend a lot of time working to peel back the tax increase," she said.

Ward 8 Councillor Nathan Schmidt focused on the definition of outcomes in the context of the budget. He argued that outcomes are not just about distributing funds but ensuring they result in measurable improvements, such as repaired sidewalks, paved roads, and serviced parks. He noted that measuring outcomes for complex issues like housing and public safety under the new Safer Together plan is more difficult.

Schmidt emphasized that councillors have the ability to annually review the progress of allocated money to determine if programs are effective. "It comes down to affordability for everybody in the city," Schmidt said. "For me, that comes down to finding that balance between how much of a burden are we putting on Calgarians to contribute more to receive those services, but also what do those services do for people?"

Once the budget documents are released on November 10, residents will have the opportunity to make public submissions to the city or arrange to speak at the upcoming public hearing. The subsequent weeks will determine whether the final budget aligns with the administration’s initial high-tax scenario or reflects the councillors’ push for reduced levies and stricter accountability.

L.al-Hashemi--BT