Housing Action - Livability Tax Program Budget Set
Following more than a year of discussion and planning Council approved the Livability Tax Program budget at $12 million for 2025 and 2026, and $10.5 million for 2027 and 2028. This program is one of the bold actions that came from the recommendations of the Livability Task Force aimed at incentivizing long-term occupancy of homes.
The revenue collected will be used to make a meaningful impact on the housing crisis in Canmore. This includes both construction of actual units, and infrastructure to enable additional units of non-market housing.
2025 Interim Budget Approval
At today's meeting, Council approved the previously approved 2025 operating plan as the 2025 interim operating budget. Due to other factors impacting organizational workload this fall, Finance Committee meetings did not start until late in November and the final budget approval is scheduled for February.
Council also approved the 2025 and 2026 Master Fee Schedule, which are generally set to recover internal staff time or required supplies. The schedule will see fees increase with inflationary expectations of 3.9%.
2025/2026 Utility Rates Set
Council approved the 2025/2026 utility rates for both water/wastewater and recycling/garbage.
The water/wastewater utility has many costly pressures in the coming years such as regulatory upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, deep utility replacements and escalating construction costs. The rates below reflect the required capital expenditures to ensure the financial health of the utility into the future.
Residential Water/Wastewater Rates: In 2025 and 2026, the increase of $15.28/month or $183.36/year (12.9%) and $19.61/month or $235.36/year (14.6%) respectively, is based on 15 m3 of water consumption per residence per month.
Residential Waste/Recycling: In 2025 and 2026, overall combined waste and recycling rates will increase 2.2% and 2.3% respectively, or less than $1/month for both years. Breaking this down, recycling rates will see a 0% increase each year and waste rates see a 4% increase each year.