Cambridge Mayor boasts proposed 1.26 per cent tax increase for 2025

Those living in the City of Cambridge could be looking at a tax increase of 1.26 per cent, or an additional $22 per year for the average household next year.

The numbers were presented by Mayor Jan Liggett in council chambers Monday night.

“This budget supports the services, programs, and facilities we enjoy as a community while also planning for the future and the betterment of our city,” said Liggett in a release. “We have kept the struggles of taxpayers top of mind throughout this process and I am pleased to present a budget that balances the needs of the community with considerable economic pressures.”

That initial increase takes into account some changes coming next summer to the way stormwater costs will be counted in the city.

Earlier this year, Cambridge Council passed a change that would see stormwater costs move from the property tax bill to the water utility bill.

“This new stormwater utility, based on individual property usage, ensures that charges better reflect the amount of runoff each property generates,” a release from the city reads. “Operating as a utility is also expected to deliver additional savings for the average residential homeowner. This shift follows a thorough review of our water billing practices.”

However, those stormwater fees are not disappearing, just “shifting” to a separate, dedicated fee on people’s water utility bills.

Breakdown of Cambridge’s proposed tax increase:

This shows without the stormwater shift, the tax increase works out to around 4.68 per cent.

A full breakdown of the proposed budget can be found here.

Councillors will hear resident’s opinions on the numbers, at a public information meeting on Nov. 7.

Meantime, Regional Councillors and staff are working through the regional portion of the 2025 tax bill. Details on that can be found here.