Red Deer’s residential and non-residential tax rate increases 5.49%

As a result, $186.4 million will be collected by the city in property taxes this year.

Roxane Preedin, controller of taxation for the City of Red Deer, said in her presentation to council that there are two main components to the annual tax notice, including municipal and requisition.

The municipal portion represents 75 per cent, and the remaining 25 per cent is requisition amounts that the city is required to collect on behalf of the provincial government. These requisitions include the provincial education tax of 56.4 million, the Bridges Community Foundation, and the provincial property assessment.

Councillor Bruce Buruma said the new increase is a concern for not only Red Deerians but also for municipalities across the province.

“This year [the province] will be collecting $3.1 billion in property taxes for the education portion of that, and that’s still a great investment in the future of Alberta, but I think it’s important because council did work hard on the 3.97 per cent, which sets expectations,” Buruma said.

“Then, when the tax bill comes in at 5.49 per cent, I guess it’s a matter of whether you pay it out of your left pocket or your right pocket.”

Councillor Tristin Brisbois said the resolution, which was recommended by city administration, strikes a balance between residential and non-residential taxes.

Meantime, Deputy Mayor Kraymer Barnstable said it was disappointing to see council’s efforts get washed out by the education tax.

He said this likely could happen again following budget deliberations this November. He said council will need to keep this at the top of mind when building the budget in terms of affordability.

The city also reported that tax notices will be sent out on May 20, with property taxes due on June 20.

by Ian Gustafson

Red Deer’s residential and non-residential tax rate increases 5.49%

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