Early property tax estimates for Calgary could result in homeowners seeing their property tax and utility costs jump by more than $600 per year in each of the next four years on the municipal side, according to a city report. The report was released publicly on Tuesday morning. The preliminary estimates and scenarios come more than a month before councillors begin deliberations and efforts to lower the proposed increases. The city budget won’t be finalized until late November, and the provincial property tax amount won’t be known until February. Administration presented to city council its early financial needs for the 2027-2030 budget cycle: a 15 per cent tax revenue jump needed in 2027, a 9.8 per cent increase in 2028, a 7.6 per cent hike in 2029 and a six per cent climb in 2030. “That is really the starting point in our budget debate,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas. “We’re going to start with a number that really represents absolutely every single ask imaginable, but we’re not going to do absolutely everything that we want to with this budget. “But that’s OK. If we really focus on the essentials, we’re going to be able to deliver on public safety while still keeping Calgary affordable.” The early estimates provide a look at what the property tax increases and utility hikes could be for the next four years if no savings are realized before the budget is finalized. According to the city report, a monthly increase for the typical residential property could total $52 in 2027—$36 for municipal property tax hikes and a $16 jump for water utility, waste and recycling. The document states more increases could happen in the three years following: a $56 monthly jump in 2028 ($34 in property tax, $22 in utilities), a $54 monthly increase in 2029 ($28 in property tax, $26 in utilities) and a $51 total hike per month in 2030 ($21 in property tax, $30 in utilities). “According to the residents in Ward 12, there’s no appetite for double-digit (increases) at all, and that’s what I’m hearing,” said Coun. Mike Jamieson, the representative for Ward 12. “I think a lot of councilors are of this mindset: you get the best bang for your buck. We have to respect the taxpayer.” Police seeking more funding for officers, equipment Up until now, nearly all of the requests and budget talks from city departments and partners have happened behind closed doors. On Monday, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) released its budget recommendations as it looks to increase the number of sworn officers and civilian staff. “Crime is becoming more complex, social disorder is more visible and expectations around public safety continue to rise,” wrote Chief Katie McLellan in CPS’s presentation to council. “Our past approach is no longer good enough to meet the rapid changes driven by significant population growth, evolving crime trends and rapidly advancing technology. “If we do not rise to meet the challenge, the future of our city and public safety is at risk.” The ask to councillors includes the hiring of 309 additional officers and 214 civilian employees by 2030. CPS is also seeking a budget increase in order to maintain and upgrade police stations and training spaces and modernize equipment and vehicles. CPS is recommending its operating budget grow from $684 million in 2026 to $816 million in 2030, a jump of 19 per cent. It’s also seeking a capital budget increase from $110 million for the 2023-26 budget cycle to $191 million for 2027-30, which represents an increase of 73 per cent. “I don’t think any department should be immune from scrutiny,” said Farkas. “I fully respect our first responders, our police service, our fire department. I’m going to be going line by line. “Nobody gets a free pass in a budget exercise, and we’re going to do our due diligence.”
