Edmonton unveils proposed fall budget

Edmonton homeowners will see a 6.4 per cent property tax increase in 2026, adding about $230 a year to the average bill, after the city released its proposed budget Thursday.

Officials say, the adjustments will allow the City to address budget challenges and continue delivering the 70 services and over 200 construction projects in the 2023-2026 budget.

“This recommended budget update is focused on delivering the services and construction projects that matter to Edmontonians,” said Stacey Padbury, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy City Manager of Financial and Corporate Services. “We’re recommending changes this fall to help us manage budget challenges and limit the impacts of those challenges on our services and the people we serve. We know many Edmontonians are worried about their own budgets.”

Administration said it aimed to keep the hike as low as possible, but rising inflation has added tens of millions of dollars in costs. To balance the books, the plan includes reductions to some services, including bus and facility cleaning.

The proposal also advises against buying new buses, expanding paving on major roads or proceeding with planning and design work for several road-widening projects.

Since 2023, the city has made a series of adjustments to its four-year budget in response to inflationary pressures and fast population growth.

The latest update proposes $24 million in new projects, including tearing down the Argyll Park velodrome, replacing the roof at the Rossdale Power Plant and preparing land for future school sites.

Staff are also proposing an additional $98 million for existing projects, including neighbourhood renewal and fire stations, to cover inflation in materials and labour.

Next year is the final year of the current four-year budget cycle, limiting the scope for major changes. Council will use the proposed adjustments as its starting point when deliberations begin next month.

“For the past few years, we’ve been taking the fiscally responsible steps needed to bring the budget in line with the increasing cost of service delivery, ” said Padbury. “This work takes time and involves some tough choices, and while we expect these challenges to continue into the next four-year budget cycle, the changes we’ve made, along with our recommendations this fall, will put us in the best position possible as we wrap up this budget cycle.”

Reports are scheduled to go before council on Nov. 25, with budget decisions to follow from Dec. 1 to 4.