Cambridge city budget comes in with tax increase of 7.17 per cent

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been corrected to better reflect the tax impact to the taxpayer in the 2024 budget.

The average household in Cambridge can expect to pay an extra $112 in city taxes this year, now that the city’s budget has been approved.

“Today’s approval represents a 7.17 per cent increase to the City’s budget. Only 36 per cent of property taxes are used to support the over 140 services delivered by city staff. The remainder is used to support services provided by the Region of Waterloo, such as waste management and public health (52 per cent), as well as an education portion for local school boards (12 per cent),” said a release from the city.

“Striking the right balance between providing service to the community and setting Cambridge up for future growth is not an easy task,” said Cambridge Mayor, Jan Liggett. 

Highlights include money to expand the Cambridge Sports Park arena complex by opening two new ice pads, establishing a 40 km/h neighbourhood speed limit over this year and next and starting mobile security teams out on 24/7 patrol of parks and Business Improvement Areas, “effectively addressing citizen complaints about unwanted activities in these areas.”