(Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect new numbers from the police service).
The 2024 budget proposes adding over $70 to taxpayers’ annual bills for the municipal tax hike, but if other utility and infrastructure levies are included, that number jumps to over $300.
City hall is proposing to increase municipal property taxes in 2024 by 4.13 per cent or adding $5.89 per month or $70.68 annually for the “average homeowner,” the budget report says.
Furthermore, taxpayers will still be paying the waterworks infrastructure levy of $8.33 per month or $100 per year to support the cast iron replacement program and the parks and recreation levy of $5.41 per month or $65 per year to support the department’s efforts to maintain its many venues.
The proposed municipal tax hike and both levies add $19.63 per month or $235.56 per year to property bills.
Meanwhile, the Moose Jaw Police Service is asking for an operating budget increase of 6.4 per cent, or an extra $736,355. Since city administration says one percentage point of taxation this year is worth $352,449, that means the police request could translate into a 2.09-per-cent mill rate hike.
The budget also proposes increasing waterworks utility rates and sanitary sewer utility rates by four per cent each, for a total of eight per cent.
For the “average property taxpayer,” this equates to an extra $5.35 per month or $64.20 annually for both utilities.
Furthermore, the solid waste garbage collection rate will increase by 30 cents a month or $3.60 annually and the recycling fees will increase by nine cents per month or $1.08 annually. Therefore, this will add an extra 39 cents per month or $4.68 per year in total.
Combining the proposed municipal tax hike, the water and sewer utility increases, the waterworks and parks and recreation infrastructure levies, and the garbage and recycling fees — but excluding the police service request — the total increase homeowners could face next year would be $25.37 per month or $304.44.
The Moose Jaw Express will have a more complete breakdown of the proposed 2024 budget in the coming days and weeks.
