Edmonton has many financial challenges that must be faced for the 2025 budget including a $34 million deficit. City administrators have recommended that city council implement a 8.1 per cent property tax increase and now propose city council reduce that number even more. City administrators have suggested a number of cost cutting measures and other ideas to consider including increasing Epcor’s dividend to the city, renegotiating the city’s phone contracts and slowing down the Heritage Program. City council will also look at a report recommending salary increases which may be not be wise considering the financial state and an upcoming election year.