Charlottetown’s 2024-2025 Capital and Operational budgets were presented and approved by Council on Thursday. The balanced budget includes a $86.4-million Operational and a $45.8-million Capital Budget for the City Corporation, and a $15.8-million Operational Budget for the Water and Sewer Utility.
There will be no increase to residential and commercial tax rates in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Water and Sewer Utility rates increase three per cent to help maintain infrastructure and defray rising operational costs. That means an increase of approximately $19.08 annually or $0.05 daily for the average household.
Finance Chair John McAleer says Council heard residents when they said public safety was their number one concern. He says the largest investments in this budget were made in Charlottetown Police Services with approval to hire five new officers and purchase a mobile critical incident command. The Fire Department was also supported by two new supervisors, a new fast rescue craft for water rescues and new safety equipment.