Tax increase could reach 5.3% in 2015 city budget

Edmontonians could see a 5.3 per cent tax increase as city councillors prepare to debatethe 2015 operating budget in November.

A budget summary released Thursday recommends a 3.8 per cent increase in general taxes, as well as a 1.5 per cent bump for the Neighbourhood Renewal program, which is set aside to replace and repair streets, roads and sidewalks in existing neighbourhoods.

The budget includes more than the $4 million in spending on the Blatchford Field redevelopment at the siteof the old municipal airport.

The city says that it will release more details about the budget online on Friday. It will also release a survey, as well as hold a public hearing on budget deliberations on November 24.