Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, a day to support causes that make a difference. If you appreciate the work we do and want to help us continue advocating for common sense at City Hall, we’d be grateful for your support. We don’t usually make an explicit ask in these emails, but given that we’re a non-profit and don’t take a dime of government funding, we rely on your support to keep us going. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. If you’d like to contribute, you can do so by clicking here. Thank you!
There will be a meeting of City Council this morning at 9:30 am, continuing on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the same time, if required. The purpose of the meeting(s) is to debate the budget. Recall that the City has proposed an 8.1% hike! Business groups, including the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and BOMA Edmonton, are urging Council to find cost savings during budget adjustments to alleviate the tax hike. They presented recommendations focused on cutting non-essential services and investing in downtown development, which they claim could generate significant economic returns.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is proposing a budget plan that aims to reduce the tax increase from 8.1% to below 6%. His plan focuses on maintaining core public services, enhancing City cleanliness, supporting low-income transit programs, and fostering industrial growth. To fund these initiatives, the proposal includes reallocating utility revenues, cutting the neighbourhood renewal program by $15 million, and replenishing the City's Financial Stabilization Reserve. Sohi is also advocating for a return to branch-level budget reviews and a streamlined approach to decision-making and policy development. He is calling on the provincial government to restore grants for property taxes on provincial buildings.
