Winnipeg homeowners can expect another property tax hike next year – the second increase in a row.
“It’s fair to say there will be a tax increase, I think that’s not a secret but in terms of the amount, not sure at this point,” said Russ Wyatt, the Transcona Councillor who is also the chair of city hall’s finance committee.
Property taxes rose 3.5% in 2012, an increase that ended 14 years of tax freezes or reductions.
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So far, the city is actually running a surplus on its $900 million dollar operating budget: the books for this year are so far $7.7 million in the black. But Wyatt expects higher expenses in 2013 will more than eat up what ever is left over from the 2012 budget, forcing the city to make some cuts, and hike taxes.
“We as a council have approved contracts where we give pay increases, we have a large police service, larger than ever before, we have a large fire paramedic service; these are services the citizens of Winnipeg appreciate,” Wyatt said at city hall Thursday morning.
Wyatt couldn’t say what city services could possibly be cut as officials draw up the 2013 operating budget. But he confirmed two key areas: insect control and snow clearing will see their budgets topped up, using money not spent in the last budget year.
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