City Council confirms tax levy increase |
April 17, 2026
City Council finalized the annual tax levy today, approving a number of changes to maintain the planned 6.9 per cent municipal tax increase for 2026.
The increase, approved in December 2025, allows the City to respond to budget challenges such as inflationary pressures, rapid population growth and changing service needs, all of which have increased the cost of delivering the services and construction projects in the 2023-2026 budget. Although the City planned for these challenges, they were more significant than what was forecast when the budget was developed in 2022.
The changes approved today include changes to economic forecasts, external factors like insurance premiums and other adjustments like changes to how Fort Edmonton Park is operated. These changes, while important to reconcile in the budget, did not impact the City’s tax requirements.
“We’ve finalized our financial plans for the year today,” said Stacey Padbury, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy City Manager, Financial and Corporate Services. “The updates we’ve made to the budget for 2026 are focused on taking fiscally responsible steps to manage the budget challenges we face, while limiting the impact on our services and the 1.2 million people we serve.”
The tax levy increase will affect property owners differently, depending on how a property’s assessed value compares to the market. For example, a household with a 2026 assessment of $492,500 will pay $318 per month to help fund City services, including emergency services, parks, trails, roads, bridges, transit, recreation centres, attractions and social supports.
The spring municipal tax levy confirmation is the last step in finalizing the annual tax levy, which funds more than half of the City’s operating budget. The City will bring forward a bylaw on April 28 to set the tax rates based on the municipal tax levy approved today.
Property tax bills include municipal taxes, which are collected by the City to pay for its services, and provincial education taxes, which the City collects on behalf of the Province to fund public and separate schools. These two taxes change at different rates each year, and are added together to make up the total tax amount property owners must pay.
Tax notices will be sent to all property owners on May 25, with property taxes due on June 30.
This is the final year of the current four-year budget, and work is underway to build the next four-year budget. As part of this work, Council also discussed potential 2027-2030 taxation levels, including what’s driving tax increases and possible benchmarks for tax increases in the 2027-2030 budget cycle.
Public engagement on the 2027-2030 budget is now underway, and Edmontonians are invited to tell the City what matters to them when it comes to services, construction projects, taxes and user fees. Engagement opportunities are available online and in-person ward sessions until May 1. For details on how to get involved, visit engaged.edmonton.ca/Budget. |
For more information:
Media contact:
Mel Garcia
Communications Advisor
Financial and Corporate Services
780-686-2641
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