LETHBRIDGE, AB – Some good news if you own a property in Lethbridge.
City Council has passed a new operating budget which will mean no increase in the municipal portion of property taxes in 2021 and in 2022.
There will also be a zero increase in utility rates next year.
There will also be a zero increase in utility rates next year.
“This budget understands our current economic reality and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and builds in the financial flexibility we need to respond to those challenges,” Councillor Rob Miyashiro
In doing so, Councillors had to make some tough decisions. One of those was a significant cut to the Lethbridge Police Service budget to the tune of $1 million.
Even after looking at the item again Monday (Dec. 14), the majority of Council still voted to maintain that cut.
Councillor Rob Miyashiro, chair of the Finance Committee, says what Council did for the community is unprecedented as budgets usually have things added to them, not taken away.
He says this two year operating budget understands the current economic reality and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, the budget was passed on a 7-2 vote with Councillors Blaine Hyggen and Joe Mauro voting no
Individual properties may see a tax change on their bills for other reasons, such as: a change in property assessment (the value of your home, business or multi-family complex); an increase to the Green Acres Foundation budget or to the Alberta School budget; and new construction or demolition
A full recap of the budget can be found here: 2021-22 Budget Decisions