Historic growth that resulted in previously unmet needs has resulted in a proposed 23.3 per cent property tax increase for Calgarians over the next three years.

City Hall ended months of speculation yesterday, releasing their proposed operating and capital budgets, which include a 9.6 per cent bump in 2009, a 6.8 hike in 2010 and a 6.9 per cent increase in 2011.

Included in the proposed $7.9-billion operating budget is funding for 242 more police officers, 130 more firefighters, 55 paramedics, 16 bylaw officers and 290,000 hours of increased transit service, said mayor Dave Bronconnier.

“By and large, this means that the average taxpayer will face a property tax bill of $3.25 on a per daily basis,” Bronconnier said.

On the $4 billion capital side, the city proposes to build four new firehalls, refurbish four LRT platforms and increase affordable housing supply.

Finance committee chair Gord Lowe said with unprecedented growth came swelling demand that couldn’t be met, and even with the proposed increase,  no wants were satisfied and no needs were fully funded.

“That demand for growth, we’re recognizing that in the first year of this budget. The second year you’ll find very little growth, with some very moderate growth in the third year which really reflects council’s recognition of the uncertain economic times,” Lowe said.

Bronconnier added no one, including himself, wants to pay more taxes, just as no one on council wants to levy hikes, but Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s Scott Hennig said the numbers are “insane” and higher than the average Calgarian can afford.

 ”This will be very punishing for Calgarians who won’t see anywhere near that kind of wage increase,” he said.