Farkas' First 60 Days: Rezoning Reversal, Tax Tweak, and That Tartan Tie
The Scene
Calgary's political landscape got a serious shake-up this fall, and leading the charge from the Mayor's chair is none other than Jeromy Farkas, our 38th Mayor. Since officially taking office on October 29, 2025, after a decisive win against incumbent Jyoti Gondek, Farkas has been a whirlwind of activity. It’s been a rapid-fire introduction to the city's top job, not just for him but for a fresh-faced City Council with ten new members finding their footing.
Just weeks into his tenure, Global News Digital Journalist Adam MacVicar, who covers the ins and outs of City Hall with a keen eye, sat down with the Mayor for a year-end interview. The conversation, available now, peeled back the layers on everything from the seismic shifts at City Hall to, yes, that distinctive tartan tie Farkas often sports. But beyond the sartorial choices, the real meat of the discussion centered on two hot-button issues that have Calgarians talking around their kitchen tables: citywide rezoning and the ever-present city budget.
Having previously served as the Ward 11 City Councillor from 2017 to 2021, Farkas arrived in the Mayor's office with an understanding of the city's pulse, particularly concerns voiced from communities stretching from the Elbow River to the west side of Deerfoot Trail.
What's Changing
For everyday Calgarians, the biggest headlines coming out of City Hall right now revolve around two major policy reversals. First up: housing. Just this December 15th, under Mayor Farkas's leadership, City Council voted 13-2 to kickstart the process of repealing the citywide rezoning policy. Remember "Rezoning for Housing," which came into effect in August 2024, making R-CG (allowing duplexes, rowhouses, etc.) the default residential zoning? Well, it looks like its days are numbered. This isn't an overnight change – existing rules stay put until a public hearing in March 2026 and subsequent bylaw readings – but the intention is clear.
Then there's your wallet. On December 4th, City Council made a move that will likely bring a sigh of relief to many homeowners across the city. They voted to reduce the upcoming municipal property tax increase by dipping into city reserves. What does this mean for you? Instead of an initially projected municipal property tax increase of 3.6%, and an overall residential property tax hike of 8.9% (including provincial portions, totaling about $29 a month for a typical $697,000 home), you're now looking at a projected increase of approximately 1.6% for a typical Calgary home – a more manageable $4.50 per month.
The Neighborhood Vibe
The push to repeal citywide rezoning isn't happening in a vacuum. It’s a direct response to a groundswell of opposition that defined much of the recent municipal election. More than 40 Calgary community associations banded together, arguing that the blanket up-zoning wouldn't deliver affordable, non-market housing but instead strain existing infrastructure, worsen traffic, create parking headaches, and fundamentally alter neighborhood character. As Robert Lehodey of "Calgarians for Thoughtful Growth" noted, this issue was a major rallying cry for candidates throughout the 2025 campaign, resonating deeply from established communities like those around The Bow to newer developments further out.
Their core message was simple: "Housing choice already exists in Calgary. What is missing is deeply affordable non-market housing options. Blanket up-zoning will not supply this." This sentiment, heard clearly by the new council, played a significant role in the recent 13-2 vote to dismantle the previous policy.
Looking Ahead
So, as we close out the year, Mayor Farkas and his fresh City Council have set a clear course. Calgarians can expect more lively debates and a critical public hearing in March regarding the future of residential zoning. Meanwhile, the recent tax adjustment offers a tangible, albeit modest, break for homeowners heading into the new year. It's a busy start for our new leadership, and Hot Minute Calgary will be watching every turn from City Hall, keeping you informed on how these decisions shape our vibrant city.
