Lethbridge operating budget can lower property tax increase to 2.67%

[00:00:00]Members of Lethbridge City Council are moving forward with recommendations of dozens of budget reduction measures ahead of next year's operating budget.

[00:00:08]Council's Community Issues Committee sought to ensure that residents will pay a lower municipal property tax increase of 2.67%.

[00:00:18]That's about half the rate of increase that residents have been subjugated to from 2023 to 2026 at 5.1% each year.

[00:00:28]>> To come back down to close to half of what it was last year is is is welcoming. And again, we'll continue to look for efficiencies cuz I'd like it to still be down to zero, but you know, there are inflationary pressures that are out there.

[00:00:44]>> But in order to make up for a lesser tax, services will have to either be cut or altered in order to accommodate. One major change put forward is to eliminate some transit routes to the university and polytechnic from May to August when demand is lower. It could save the city over $241,000.

[00:01:03]>> If you you take the number of rides over the four months that the reduction was would be for and divide it up, it was just under $400 to move somebody across the city, one person. Folks will still be able to call a dial-a-bus to be able to get the get the ride. So, it's not going to go away.

[00:01:22]>> Other notable measures include eliminating free Saturday drop-off at the city's waste and recycling center and its extended summer hours. Some park maintenance services will also be reduced, concession prices at the visitlethbridge.com arena would slightly increase, and residents who receive print and mailed invoices will be issued a fee of $2 and a reprint fee of $5.

[00:01:46]>> We'll always challenge the departments.

[00:01:47]I say we our city manager will continue to challenge all of the departments on ways to find efficiencies. And so, if that's the case, we we hope that it continues for the next operating budget as as well as the capital really in the fall.

[00:02:01]>> 2027 will act as a one-year stub budget before the city resumes a four-year budget cycle from 2028 to 2031.

[00:02:10]The resolutions are expected to pass at the next city council meeting on June 23rd. For Bridge City News, I'm Landon Hickok.