The vote on the budget directions report passed 9 to 3, with councillors Matt Luloff, Laura Dudas, Cathy Curry, Glen Gower, Tim Tierney, Riley Brockington, George Darouze, Catherine Kitts, and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe voting in favour. Councillors Rawlson King, Jeff Leiper and Shawn Menard voted against.Staff are recommending the 2024 tax increase be capped at 2.5 per cent, which would follow Mayor Mark Sutcliffe's campaign promise for a maximum tax hike of 2.5 per cent in 2023 and 2024.
According to a presentation by city staff, the city is expecting assessment growth—i.e., new homes—in 2024 of 1.5 per cent, lower than the 2.2 per cent in 2023. This would lead to a $10.5-million reduction in revenue compared to 2023 the presentation said; however, this is expected to be offset by higher taxes, and inflationary reductions on consumer prices and fuel. City staff say the city would receive $49.
"What I'm seeing in front of us is an across-the-board approach, the same we've had year after year," Coun. Shawn Menard said. "Some people and departments need more because they've been historically underfunded… I want to see some prioritization based on outcomes." Coun. Jeff Leiper called a 2.5 per cent increase "an arbitrary number" when saying he would not support it.
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