A $2 billion problem, $10,000 at a time
Calgary, AB: A recent study has revealed Calgarians are on the hook to pay $10,000 more, just for sewer and water infrastructure, for every new house on the fringes of the city than we will ever get back in property taxes.
City Council’s last-minute backroom deal to gut Plan-It Calgary is directly tied to this problem, and will cost Calgarians over $2 billion in excess taxes. All three aldermen currently running for mayor voted for this tax increase.
“Calgarians have been tricked into thinking that support for the city’s growth equals support for the current development model,” says Mayoral Candidate Naheed Nenshi. “Let’s be clear, the vast majority of Calgarians pay significantly higher taxes to subsidize those buying new homes on the fringe.”
“I think Calgarians should ask our current Council members how committing to $2 Billion in costs without revenue support is good for Calgarians. I also want to be clear, I am for development – just smart development that doesn’t unfairly burden taxpayers. We can do smart growth; we’ve done it in the past. Garrison Woods is smart growth.”
Nenshi today released a detailed plan to create sustainable, walkable, livable, complete communities. Nenshi’s plan is to establish a proper framework for the development of vibrant new communities and to revitalize existing communities and downtown.