Calgarians are unpacking the city’s newly approved budget for next year, with advocates celebrating spending boosts for transit, safety and infrastructure, while others are questioning council’s use of reserves to pay for it.

Council approved the 2026 budget Wednesday with a 1.64 per cent property tax increase, down from the originally proposed 3.6 per cent hike.

The move is expected to cost the typical residential homeowner an additional $4.50 in property taxes, for a total of $9.79 extra per month when combined with a $5.29 monthly increase in waste and recycling fees, as well as water utilities. Originally, the budget would’ve cost residents an extra $13.11 in property taxes alone.

“Most Calgarians seem pretty reasonable,” Calgarian Christina Maluta told Global News. “It should be s

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