Calgary Council Eyes Property Tax Hike in Upcoming Budget Deliberations

Calgary city council is grappling with the upcoming four-year budget, and a property tax increase for residents appears increasingly likely as officials balance competing priorities. The council recently spent several hours in a closed-door session to discuss the budget with city administration.

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Calgarians could expect to pay “some level of increase” on their property tax bills next year as previous councils “low-balled” the amount of spending required for essential services and infrastructure.

Following the meeting, council narrowly voted 8-7 to approve several recommendations. One key direction given to administration is to increase property tax revenue in 2027, serving as a planning guide for refining and prioritizing spending requests within the 2027-30 budget cycle. Mayor Jeromy Farkas acknowledged that Calgarians should anticipate a "level of increase" in their property tax bills next year, attributing it to previous councils underestimating the costs of essential services and infrastructure.

Farkas stated he is entering the budget debate focused on securing necessary funds to address issues, rather than a predetermined figure. However, Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean, who voted against the recommendations, expressed concern that the projected increase will be "unacceptable" for residents. He urged council to scrutinize the spending plan line by line.

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I’m not going into this current budget debate with a specific number in mind, because that number would be purely arbitrary.

Despite the confidential nature of the budget discussions, several city departments have publicly indicated they require increased funding. The Calgary Police Service, for instance, has signaled a "significant" budget request aimed at hiring 660 officers over the next four years. The Calgary Fire Department and Calgary Transit have also noted the need for increased spending. Additionally, the budget proposal is expected to allocate substantial funds for recreation projects, parks, playground improvements, and the modernization of the Werklund Centre.

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We’re seeing a lot of significant asks and a projected tax rate that, for me, is unacceptable.