Edmonton City Council passes 2014 budget, sets 4.9 per cent tax increase

EDMONTON – The newly-elected Edmonton City Council passed the 2014 budget on Thursday, setting the tax increase for next year at 4.9 per cent.

When budget deliberations began, council was considering a proposed tax increase of 5.5 per cent.

To accommodate the lower increase, city administration has been asked to find efficiencies.

The motion suggested that corporate expenditures be decreased by $5.5 million by making further budget reductions that won’t adversely impact front-line services.

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City administration told council that, since 2010, $165 million in efficiencies have been found.

The final 2014 budget includes more resources for police and funding to ensure the Green Shack Program continues in needed neighbourhoods.

READ MORE: Alberta budget means changes to communities’ Green Shack Program

“That’s what council exists to do,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “We have to work to find the balance between what’s the pain threshold for citizens in terms of the tax increase that we – as their representatives – think they can endure and showing value for the tax increases that council approves.”

“There’s significant investment in activating new facilities that are going to be great new service in some areas of the city that haven’t had rec centres and libraries before, for example.”