Crumbling Edmonton roads, sidewalks to cost taxpayers $31 each per year

A tax levy for neighbourhood renewal is returning to Edmontonians' property taxes after a one-year hiatus.

The levy will be 1.5 per cent for 2017, 1.4 per centin 2018.

That will amount to $31 for the average household next year.

• Mayor Don Iveson aims to keep future councils from cancelling neighbourhood renewal
• Back alley repair to cost city $18M per year over 30 years

The neighbourhood renewal program, replacing crumbling roads and sidewalks in agingEdmonton neighbourhoods,is expected to cost the city about $170 million a year.

The city had hoped to qualify for grants from either the province or the federal governmentbut were unsuccessful.

In 2015, council agreedto lift thetax levy for one yearto help ease the property tax hikeduring tough economic times.

But Mayor Don Iveson said the levy is needed to keep the program on pace.

"We're facing reality with this recommendation,"he said."If citizens expect this infrastructure, there is no other way to pay for it."

There are over 300 neighbourhoods in Edmonton that requirerenewal, which is expected to becompleted by 2039.