The property tax rate in Grande Prairie is set to rise by 1.71 per cent after members of Grande Prairie city council tentatively approved the 2023 municipal budget.
The city says the rise to the property tax rate is needed to ensure the municipality can continue to provide expected levels of service while trying to balance rising inflation costs. Since 2017, officials say the tax rate has been outpaced by inflation by approximately 16 per cent.
“Budget 2023 represents the first opportunity the current council has had to align our financial commitments with our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes quality of life for all residents,” says Mayor Jackie Clayton.
Among the bigger ticket items approved as part of the operating and capital project budgets, $20 million has been earmarked for things like road work, and $1.5 million for pedestrian links across the municipality. While the document has received approval from the council and Committee of the Whole, the budget will receive final ratification at a formal council meeting set for November 28th.