The budget approval brings with it a 3.6% increase to the property taxes collected by the City, with an average 5.5% increase for homeowners across Calgary. The added financial burden comes at a time when many Calgarians are already feeling the strain of rising costs. Councillor Sharp is deeply disappointed by this outcome, as it fails to provide the relief that families and businesses. 

While property tax amounts depend on the assessed value of each property, Councillor Sharp understands the reality that higher taxes create additional pressure on households struggling to make ends meet. Throughout the budget process, she proposed or seconded several amendments aimed at reducing this pressure. These included:

• Reducing senior leadership spending: Proposals to cut discretionary travel and entertainment budgets and reduce the Executive Leadership office budget were rejected by Council. These measures would have asked leadership to operate more efficiently, as Calgarians do every day.
• Reestablishing the Finance & Budget Committee: Councillor Sharp  advocated for the reintroduction of a dedicated committee to bring clarity to the budget process and ensure greater transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent.
• Reducing the impact of tax shifts: Amendments were proposed to alleviate the tax burden on homeowners by addressing the tax shift from businesses to residents.

Despite these efforts, all of these amendments were defeated by Council. 

Without these changes to address affordability, Councillor Sharp could not support this year’s budget. She will continue to advocate for a budget that better aligns with the needs and financial realities of Calgarians, focusing on maintaining essential services while keeping taxes manageable.