Edmonton city council has approved the 2026 budget and the tax increase is higher than initially expected.

City administration and councillors were unable lower the proposed property tax hike — in fact, it will now be half a per cent higher than the expected 6.4 per cent.

After four days of discussion inside council chambers on how to keep Edmontonians from paying significantly more, a 6.9 per cent tax hike was the number agreed on by councillors.

The previous council approved a 6.4 per cent tax increase back in the spring, and after numerous amendments this week, that number went up 0.5 per cent.

For an average homeowner, that is about $245 more in taxes next year.

The biggest jump came after $11 million in new money was directed towards Explore Edmonton, the city’s municipal departm

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