91大黄鸭 City Council received an overview of the 2025 budget during its meeting on Monday (Dec.2).

Finance staff outlined the city鈥檚 current economic position and highlighted key factors expected to shape the upcoming budget deliberations set for Thursday.

"The City of 91大黄鸭 has fared well with our tax rate increases over the past couple of years," said Joe Sass, Chief Financial Officer. A report presented to council showed 91大黄鸭 has the lowest proposed tax increase, based on a rolling two-year average, among municipalities with similar populations.

Graph showing two year rolling average of tax increases comparing 91大黄鸭 to similar sized municipalities.

Sass noted the financial pressures are impacting the city's finances.

鈥淔or 2025, there鈥檚 about a seven per cent increase in the per-head cost of RCMP, and for transit, we鈥檙e looking at about a 21 per cent increase in cost for about a three per cent increase in service," he said.

Additional challenges include inflation, rising costs related to labour contracts, and expenses associated with addressing the needs of the unhoused population.

Sass also pointed to potential external factors that could strain the budget further.

鈥淭he threat of tariffs coming from the U.S., if that were to come to fruition would be cost pressure, particularly on our capital program,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s well, the value of the Canadian dollar has taken quite a hit.鈥�

Over the next three years, the city plans to spend $1.1 billion on infrastructure projects outlined in its capital plan. Key investments will focus on fire and RCMP services as well as transportation.

Budget adjustments have also been addressed.

"Staff identified $2.8 million in budget redeployment opportunities, of which $2.2 million is available to reduce taxation demand," Melanie Antunes, financial planning manager, explained to council.

Antunes said the proposed 4.36 per cent tax increase for 2025 would result in an additional $108 (over 2024) for the average residential property, valued at $973,000. This would bring the municipal portion of property taxes to an estimated $2,592. 

Council will begin formal budget discussions on Thursday.