Last night (November 26) members of the executive from the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce listened in as City Council discussed the 2019 Airdrie budget.  What they heard has left them very concerned.

Council is proposing an 8.47 percent property tax increase on Airdrie businesses.  The Chamber says an increase of that amount poses a significant threat to local businesses who are already facing a struggling economy and increasing costs.

Chamber President Glen Smaha says in the current times, expense reduction is a common theme among many businesses, not increased spending.

"To be saddled with the additional burden of a significant tax increase, it's really going to push some businesses to make very difficult decisions."

Smaha says, given the current economic climate, things are tenuous at best for a lot of business people.  "The people in the public sector, those working for the City of Airdrie for this case, need to be aware of exactly what it's like in the real world.  Unfortunately, businesses are looking to reduce expenditures and for ways to remain viable through trying times.  Yet we have the City looking to go ahead with a significant increase, which is contrary to everything the businesses are trying to do in reducing their expenses."

Just last month, Alberta businesses were hit with an increase in the provincial minimum wage to $15 per hour.  Smaha says every business in Alberta is feeling the effects of that, including businesses in Airdrie.

As the voice of over 500 members, the Airdrie Chamber is urging the City to consider the impact of the proposed tax increase on local business.  Smaha thinks that some will be forced to reduce their reinvestment in the community while others may conclude that it is no longer financially prudent to keep their doors open in Airdrie.

The Chamber has asked its members to weigh in on the proposed increase.  

Smaha explains, "This morning we emailed out a survey to all our member businesses posing three different questions to them.  Once we have the response from our members, we'll be presenting those responses to the City so they have it in hand before they make a vote."

Smaha and the Chamber understand that the rapid growth of Airdrie presents many challenges, including balancing ever increasing costs while managing services.  However, in this struggling economy, businesses must look at reducing expenses and the City must do the same.  Smaha says Airdrie must attract and support local business, not drive it away.

Smaha says that they've asked the businesses to get their responses back by Thursday in order to get it into the city's hands by Friday.  Smaha says council is scheduled to vote on the budget on Monday. 

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