The City of Cranbrook’s 2024 budget, carrying an average tax increase of 8.32%, is poised for approval after council approved the third reading of 2024 – 2028 Five-Year Financial Plan Monday night.

However, approval was not unanimous as Coun. Wes Graham voted against all three readings.

The city’s property tax revenues have increased significantly (about $12 million) in the nine years he’s been a city councillor, Graham said.

“I think there needs to be a dramatic shift on how we are looking at services,” he said. “Some of the stuff hasn’t been discussed for 30 years. Sometimes a 30-year-old model just doesn’t work with today. We need to work within the bounds we have.”

The city needs to consider more incentives for developers, he continued. “Every community in the province needs low income housing and how are we going to set ourselves apart to catch that developer or that group that provides that? Why are they going to pick Cranbrook? Because there is a shortage of builders and there is a mountain of opportunity in housing. Those are conversations we need to have throughout this year into the next budget process.  How can we be the community that’s getting 60-unit buildings done because of what we’re able to provide, and the cost of living here is affordable the cost of development here is affordable.

“At the end of the day there is one taxpayer and the taxpayer gets hit federally, provincially, regionally, hospital district right down to municipality, right down to sales tax, right down to carbon tax… tax, tax, tax and from what I am hearing out there the well is almost dry.”

Mayor Wayne Price noted substantial increases in costs of items such as heavy equipment is playing havoc on city expenses. However, he agreed with Coun. Graham in that the city needs to “generate greater revenues” to help offset inflation.

“I think this is an extremely good budget,” he said, thanking city staff for it.

The city’s municipal tax levy increase for 2024 is 8.32% (based on the budgeted non-market change value of $275,000).

It’s a long process getting an annual budget and five-year plan established.

Each year, under Section 165 and 166 of the Community Charter, the city must develop a five-year financial plan and undertake a public consultation process before the plan is adopted.

This year’s budget process began with strategic planning sessions that included members of council and senior management. Priority projects were identified and categorized based on importance and alignment with council’s objectives.

Public budget meetings were held in November and December 2023, and January of this year.

Following the November 15 budget meeting, the city opened the public consultation for the 2024 – 2028 Five Year Financial Plan.

To assist the public with their review, city staff developed a one page summary document highlighting key information. In addition, information was provided on the website that included all detailed budget documents presented to council at the November 2023 meetings. The public was invited to submit comments in writing (there was no prescribed format for comments); the deadline for submissions was December 1, 2023 at 4 p.m.

A total of 36 submissions were received. These submissions were summarized and brought forward to council for consideration at the December 13, 2023 Special Meeting.

Mayor Price noted the budget is not about “the sky is falling” and “it is typical of what you are seeing right across Canada.”

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