Property taxes could increase as much as 20 per cent next year, Coun. Bryan Anderson said Wednesday, as the costs of running the city skyrocket to meet the demands of a growing population.
While a city report released Wednesday estimates municipal taxes will have to raise about 9. 4 per cent for 2009, Anderson said any number in the single digits will barely cover the current costs of running the city.
"I think we are going to have to work our tails off to keep it into the low doubles," he said.
The 9.4 figure doesn't cover any additional projects or new residents, Anderson said.
The news comes as a double shock to residents who are just getting over 2008's large increases.
The city raised taxes an average of 7.5 per cent this year, but residents living in some neighbourhoods saw hikes close to 25 per cent.
Coun. Don Iveson said the double-digit increase comes because the city has long avoided spending on large-ticket items like transit, infrastructure and policing.
"We are a little bit behind," he said. "I think that we have balked at the cost of running the city and it's coming home to roost now and it's going be a little bit worse now than if we got serious about this a few years ago."
With files from Rob McAnally
