This week, City of Lethbridge Council unanimously approved the 2027 Operating Budget, based on recommendations from June 10 deliberations.
With the cumulative total of more than 40 budget reductions from City departments, the increase of 2.67 per cent to the municipal portion of their property taxes in 2027 will be kept closer to inflationary factors.
“Based on what we have heard throughout the community, our Council said we would find reductions for next year and we have,” said Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “These reductions also align with being an economically prosperous city.”
According to the City, the 2023-2026 Operating Budget included a 5.1 per cent increase per year for each of the four years.
With zero per cent increases in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the average increase for the last eight years (2019-2026, the last two full Operating Budget cycles) has been 2.8 per cent per year.
As part of Tuesday’s 2027 Operating Budget approval, to be compliant with the Municipal Government Act, Council has directed Administration to also include a three-year (2028-2030) Forecasted Operating Financial Plan.
The City practices multi-year budgeting. In May 2024, Council approved changes to the Capital and Operating Budget process by staggering the two budget deliberations by one year.
Due to this process change, the 2023-2026 Operating Budget was extended by one more year to include a “stub year” for 2027.
In accordance with MGA requirements, Council must approve an operating budget by Dec. 31, so the City can pass a property tax bylaw.
The 2027-2030 Capital Improvement Program budget deliberations and approval will take place in late 2026.
