Lethbridge taxpayers could be looking at a 2.67 per cent tax increase to the municipal portion of their taxes in 2027.
This week, Lethbridge City Council met with its Community Issues Committee to complete deliberations for the 2027 Operating Budget.
“It’s a one-year stub budget,” said Mayor Blaine Hyggen.
With a zero per cent increase in 2021 and 2022, Hyggen noted, the average for the last eight years is 2.8 per cent per year. “The 2027 proposed increase will be below that, and yet still account for the inflationary factors.”
Recommendations from the deliberations will be forwarded to Council for potential approval at the June 23 Council meeting.
Hyggen commends City administration for proposing more than 40 budget reduction items to help keep future costs under control.
“We wanted to focus on needs and not the wants in this budget. They did come back with budget reduction items,” Hyggen explained. “We’ll continue to ask our city manager to find additional efficiencies going forward, but it’s a start of a few per cent off from what we had last year for our tax rate. We’re trying to do the best we possibly can with trying to keep as many services within the community.”
According to Hyggen, a majority of the reduction items passed during the meeting, “which was quite welcoming.”
“Council gave direction to find efficiencies, and so when those efficiencies came forward and those cost reductions, the majority of them passed,” said Hyggen.
One of the items that has continued support in Lethbridge is the beautification of the city.
“Years ago, our city won many awards for Communities in Bloom. This showed across Canada how beautiful the city was with flowers. We thought for that charge, and for what that was going to cost citizens, it was something Council unanimously supported,” he noted.
“The reduction was not recommended, so although it was minimal, it was something Council decided it’s beautiful to be able to go around the community and see some of the flowers and the beautification that comes from that,” he said.
One of the increases proposed would be a twenty-five-cent markup on top items at the concession stands at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena, which would bring in additional earnings in 2027.
Items proposed could include beer, popcorn, and hot dogs.
Hyggen added it would be a minimal increase, but something the City can do to bring down taxation. “We understand costs are going up everywhere. It’s something that was brought as a cost-saving initiative.”
Hyggen believes Council came out of the budget deliberations feeling pretty good about the reductions Council members were able to vote on. “They’re not easy. When you’re doing a reduction, you’re removing some service or something in the community.”
The City’s Capital Budget deliberations will be coming up in the fall.
“We’re hoping we can find ways to reduce costs during the Capital Budget, as well,” Hyggen noted.
For a complete list of reductions and more information, visit lethbridge.ca/news/posts/recap-of-the-2027-operating-budget-deliberations.
