Calgary councillor sends his own version of tax bill letter to constituents

In this year's property tax bills, there's a letter from the mayor explaining why many Calgary homeowners are getting a tax increase.

But Coun. Jeromy Farkas has a mailout of his own.

He's sending a rebuttal to every household in his southwest ward.

In April, Farkas called for a tax freeze but the motion was shot down in a 13-2 vote by city council.

Undeterred, he wants people to push back.

"I think the letter that the mayor included in everyone's property tax bill is misleading and can definitely lead Calgarians to draw the wrong conclusions," said Farkas.

Mayor says tax relief for business means hike for others

In that letter, Nenshi stated the city has found $740 million in cuts and savings in its budget over the past six years and that this year's budget is essentially flat.

Council technically approved a tax freeze this year. However, it then voted to shift over $200 million in taxes from business property owners to residential accounts.

That resulted in a 12 per cent tax cut for businesses and a 7.5 per cent tax hike for residential properties.

Farkas disputes that by saying that city spending has increased each year over the past decade and the municipal portion of tax bills has also increased each year.

"Council has not controlled spending and the numbers show that and I felt that it was really important to provide Calgarians with some needed context," said Farkas.

"Council chose this and they need to be held accountable."

Taxpayer vs. taxpayer

He also doesn't support giving business property owners a tax break by shifting some of their tax burden to residential accounts.

Farkas said that measure simply pits different groups of taxpayers against each other.

Unless property owners are on the city's monthly installment plan, taxes are due on June 30.

However, this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is giving property owners an additional three months to pay their taxes without penalty. 

Farkas estimates his mailout to each address in Ward 11 cost his office budget about $4,000.