Council approves elimination of property tax increase for 2020

May 11, 2020 | 11:12 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — After extensive debate from Councillors Joe Mauro and Blaine Hyggen, local taxpayers won’t have to pay an additional 1.82% in their taxes for 2020.

Councillors Mauro and Hyggen argued the use of the amendment, which was initiated by Mayor Chris Spearman.

In the end, Council will be allowing Lethbridgians off the hook for 2020 by not making them pay the extra sum of money but, in the coming years, taxpayers may have to pay even more than anticipated.

The original four year plan was that Lethbridge property taxpayers would pay an additional 1.82% each year up to 2024.

Now, because of the Pandemic being endured at the moment, upcoming years will see increased taxes, even more than the 1.82% extra this year.

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Next year, Councillors have said it will be more than 1.82% and could even double that with the revised property tax increase plan.

Mayor Chris Spearman believes this is what Lethbridge property taxpayers need.

“We want to minimize the burden on both residential and business taxpayers in the city of Lethbridge.”

Mayor Spearman also adds that the current impacts on Lethbridge can be vital for the future and that this time is temporary.

“This will be very hard on businesses and property owners, peoples’ employment whose income streams have been negatively affected.”

by Dori Modney