Brooks residents will see property taxes increase by 5.6% in 2025

By Medicine Hat News on December 13, 2024.

@MedicineHatNews

Brooks city council was presented with a final budget Thursday night that recommends a 5.6 per cent tax increase in 2025.

That would bring in an additional $805,000 in revenue to balance the budget next year.

The largest increase in expenditures relates to higher costs for RCMP policing service, which will rise by $518,500, as well as expected municipal salary increases of $235,000, and about $97,000 for increases to utility bills at municipal buildings.

Reductions in operating expenses come from re-designating capital project management costs to the capital budget.

An inclusion co-ordinator would also be added to city workforce, though the $63,400 annual salary would be covered next year by a grant of equal size.

Brooks finance officials also say increased fine revenue, assessments, fire call-out fees and shifts in insurance coverage would partially make up the difference.

About $500,000 for a new capital and major operating expense budget would be mostly covered by capital spending, though an additional $89,000 is required, if approved.

A total capital budget of $5.33 million would be mostly paid for with $1.55 million in provincial and federal infrastructure grants, plus $3.1 million in reserve funds.

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