City Council Committee of the Whole approved the 2019 Capital and Operating Budget and recommended a 4.1% tax reduction at the conclusion of budget deliberations.

The reduction is possible through a focussed approach to funding priorities and a recommitment to corporate efficiency by utilizing Priority Based Budgeting and Lean principles across the organization.

Highlights include enhancements to public safety including two additional RCMP officers, an increase to road rehabilitation funding and continuation of the driveway windrow snow clearing program.

Council chose not to proceed in 2019 with the next phase of the Downtown Rehabilitation Project. Administration have been asked to bring forward a report at a future date with options to improve the streetscape in Phase 4.

“Council has heard from the community about the importance of reducing taxes. We are approaching 2019 as a tax reset year with a recommendation of a negative tax rate of 4.1%,” said Mayor Given.

“We have focused funding on community priorities including policing and the quality of our roads and on a selection of smaller initiatives that will have a large impact on the community, such as improving accessibility to City facilities,” commented Mayor Given. “We remain focused on the issues that matter most to our community and ensuring a high quality of life for our residents.”

Information provided by the City of Grande Prairie.