We're pushing, but the tax increase just won't budge-it

After four days of debate, Edmonton city council approved adjustments to the 2025 budget, setting a 6.1% property tax increase for next year. In this episode, we dig into some of the key moments throughout the debate. We talk about photo radar, trees, and community sandboxes.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Budget

• News Release: City Council confirms fall budget adjustments
• Edmonton city council approves 6.1% tax hike for 2025
• Budget 2025: Explore Edmonton asks city for $6M or won't run Expo centre and convention centre
• Edmonton city council looking for ways to lower tax increase as budget deliberations heat up
• Edmonton mayor releases budget plan to shave two per cent off 2025 tax hike
• Mayor Sohi's budget page
• On the agenda: Fall budget adjustment
• Council continues final budget adjustment deliberations

Downtown buildings

• City of Edmonton planning to sell 2 downtown office buildings, relocate hundreds of staff

Photo radar

• News Release: Putting an end to the photo radar cash cow
• Alberta government aims to cut photo radar sites by 70%
• 'Absolutely concerned': Edmonton mayor, councillors react to Alberta photo radar plan

Community sandboxes

• Some community leagues opt to maintain their own sandboxes after city-wide program shrinks

Tree planting

• News Release: City surpasses planting record for a second year, moving closer to two million tree goal

From the Taproot newsroom

• Departure of Good Goods from downtown leaves business association with few options
• Options for new bike lanes on Victoria Promenade hit planning stage

Rapid fire

• Get Free Studded Tires to Ride Through the Winter
• 'Hilarious': Alberta premier responds to Trump's 51st state joke, emphasizes need for trade ties with U.S.
• Trio aims to be a 'catalyst' in Chinatown with Boa and Hare
• Why Edmonton's work on Indigenous-led housing remains complex

This episode is brought to you by Park Power, your friendly, local utilities provider (and title sponsor of Taproot's Regional Roundup). Park Power offers electricity, natural gas, and internet to homes, businesses, and farms throughout Alberta. Learn more at parkpower.ca.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.

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Creators & Guests

Host

Mack Male

Co-Founder and CEO of Taproot Publishing Inc.

Host

Troy Pavlek

Apparently the TMZ of #yegcc.Governing myself accordingly since 2021

Guest

Tim Querengesser

Managing Editor of Taproot Edmonton

What is Speaking Municipally?

Taproot Edmonton presents a weekly discussion on key stories in municipal politics. We pay attention to City Council so you don't have to! Join us as we delve into conversations about the context surrounding decisions made at City Hall.