Speaking Municipally

After four days of debate, Edmonton city council approved adjustments to the 2025 budget, setting a 6.1% property tax increase for next year. In this episode, we dig into some of the key moments throughout the debate. We talk about photo radar, trees, and community sandboxes.Here are the relevant links for this episode:BudgetNews Release: City Council confirms fall budget adjustmentsEdmonton city council approves 6.1% tax hike for 2025Budget 2025: Explore Edmonton asks city for $6M or won't run Expo centre and convention centreEdmonton city council looking for ways to lower tax increase as budget deliberations heat upEdmonton mayor releases budget plan to shave two per cent off 2025 tax hikeMayor Sohi's budget pageOn the agenda: Fall budget adjustmentCouncil continues final budget adjustment deliberationsDowntown buildingsCity of Edmonton planning to sell 2 downtown office buildings, relocate hundreds of staffPhoto radarNews Release: Putting an end to the photo radar cash cowAlberta government aims to cut photo radar sites by 70%'Absolutely concerned': Edmonton mayor, councillors react to Alberta photo radar planCommunity sandboxesSome community leagues opt to maintain their own sandboxes after city-wide program shrinksTree plantingNews Release: City surpasses planting record for a second year, moving closer to two million tree goalFrom the Taproot newsroomDeparture of Good Goods from downtown leaves business association with few optionsOptions for new bike lanes on Victoria Promenade hit planning stageRapid fireGet Free Studded Tires to Ride Through the Winter'Hilarious': Alberta premier responds to Trump's 51st state joke, emphasizes need for trade ties with U.S.Trio aims to be a 'catalyst' in Chinatown with Boa and HareWhy Edmonton's work on Indigenous-led housing remains complexThis episode is brought to you by Park Power, your friendly, local utilities provider (and title sponsor of Taproot's Regional Roundup). Park Power offers electricity, natural gas, and internet to homes, businesses, and farms throughout Alberta. Learn more at parkpower.ca.Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free! ★ Support this podcast ★

Another blow to regional collaboration as it appears the EMRB is dead after the provincial government pulled its funding. Plus, we talk budget, carbon emissions, police response times, and parking.Here are the relevant links for this episode:EMRBRegional Roundup: Nov. 27, 2024'Unexpected': Edmonton's regional board loses provincial funding, future uncertainBudgetCity says participatory budgeting experiment was challenging but taught lessonsWill Edmonton neighbourhood renewal be scaled back?Calgary council approves budget, 3.6% property tax increaseCarbon emissionsReport suggests Edmonton's emissions are decreasing too slowlyPolice response timesMaking Edmonton police response times public again: It's complicatedHotSpot ParkingZipstall parking app sent cease-and-desist letter by City of Edmonton's vendor HotSpotDIPPuneeta McBryan's postFrom the Taproot newsroomConservatory of Music to leave MacEwan and become part of Winspear in 2025Building powerhouses look for new life at old RAMHow Edmonton compares to cities finding success in tackling homelessnessRapid fireAlberta's passenger rail master plan scheduled for summer 2025 releaseNews Release: 30th Annual Stuff a Bus returns to support those in needAlberta mulls boosting U.S. border patrol in effort to prevent Trump's 25% tariffSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, the most reliable source of intelligence about what's happening in the Edmonton region. Through curiosity-driven original stories, tailored and useful newsletters, a comprehensive and innovative events calendar, and thought-provoking podcasts, we inform, connect, and inspire a more vibrant, engaged, and resilient Edmonton region.Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free! ★ Support this podcast ★

We have a third mayoral candidate as Coun. Tim Cartmell finally confirms he's running for mayor. And in a surprising announcement, Chief Dale McFee has announced his retirement from EPS, effective Feb. 21, 2025.Here are the relevant links for this episode:Cartmell running for mayorIs Tim Cartmell the Next Mayor of Edmonton?Edmonton Coun. Tim Cartmell running for mayor with new political partyMcFee retiringChief McFee retires from the EPSProvince to appoint more members to Edmonton Police CommissionOld RAMEdmonton developer, architect push to save Old Royal Alberta MuseumHousing figuresNews Release: City exceeds housing supply targets in record-breaking year for new housing starts and building permitsWhy Edmonton may need to focus on renters as it stares down 'peak home ownership'From the Taproot newsroomHousing ComplexTaproot presents: A conversation about housingRapid fireFormer Edmonton city councillor Tony Caterina running for mayorWestJet announces summer schedule, Edmonton to see 23% seat capacity increaseBoissonnault out of cabinet after shifting claims about Indigenous heritageSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free! ★ Support this podcast ★

This week, budget season has begun. Troy and Stephanie guide you into the start of our year-end busy season, and explain how this will lead into next year's busy season, the election.Here are the relevant links for this episode:BudgetEdmonton city council looks for cuts to lower 8.1 per cent tax hike eyed for 2025Edmonton city councillors question travel budgets and spending on Calgary StampedeElection9 candidates declare intention to run for Edmonton City CouncilCity managerEdmonton city council hires Eddie Robar as city managerBudget pressures top of mind for Edmonton's new city managerCarbon budgetEdmonton fails to meet climate targets 2 years after launching carbon budgetCondo association calls green bin rollout 'rocky', while city says new habits take timeSingle-use bylaw500 days in, Edmonton has written 0 tickets under single-use bag, plastics bylawFrom the Taproot newsroomEdmonton Arts Council has a new funding strategy and leaderWhy the decline in public housing is 'the origins of Canada's housing crisis'Taproot presents: A conversation about housingCanadian Podcast AwardsSpeaking Municipally is a finalistKaren's post on LinkedInRapid fireCity underlines successes and challenges as the Valley Line LRT turns oneMcDavid makes history with 1,000th NHL pointSpeaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free! ★ Support this podcast ★