Council targets 0% property tax and utility rate increase for 2021

Nov 17, 2020 | 10:51 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– Lethbridge City Council on Monday voted unanimously to set a target for a zero per cent property tax rate increase and a zero per cent utility rate increase for next year.

The approved target will try to eliminate the scheduled 3.64 per cent increase for the 2021 municipal tax rate (2020 and 2021 combined).

As it stands, it is just a target or proposed idea until budget deliberations next week.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the City and its residents and many City of Lethbridge taxpayers are facing financial hardship,” says Mayor Chris Spearman, who initiated the motion.

“This would help us set a specific target as we prepare to enter into our 2021-22 Operating Budget review process next week.”

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Council had originally approved the 2019-2022 City of Lethbridge Operating Budget with an annual 1.82 per cent increase for the municipal portion of the property tax.

After consideration because of the pandemic, on May 11, 2020, City Council approved the one-time zero per cent municipal tax rate increase.

The city says, as a result of this change, some may see a tax change for the following reasons:

A change in property assessment (the value of your home, business or multi-family complex)
An increase to the Green Acres Foundation budget or to the Alberta School budget

New construction or demolition

2021-22 Operating Budget Review deliberations begin on November 23.

by Connor Gunn