Mayor Glam Freezes Municipal Property Tax for 2027
At the June 24 city council meeting, Mayor Tomer Glam presented the proposed arnona (municipal property tax) rates for 2027. The headline: neither residential nor small business ratepayers will see an increase. In fact, the city has applied to reduce rates by 3.05%.
The arnona — the annual municipal property tax — is one of the most acutely felt expenses for Ashkelon families. It has risen steadily in recent years, and the mayor's decision to freeze 2027 rates was greeted with relief by many residents.
Glam stated that the city had managed to trim costs and secure additional government subsidies, making it possible to avoid a tax hike. The petition to reduce the rate by 3.05% has been submitted to the Ministry of the Interior for review.
The opposition on the city council was skeptical. "This is an election maneuver, not fiscal policy," said the opposition faction leader, noting that even the "frozen" arnona remains higher than it was three years ago.
For a standard 80 sq. m apartment in Ashkelon, the 2026 arnona rate is approximately 250–350 shekels per month, depending on the neighborhood. Discounts apply for senior citizens, veterans, families with disabilities, and low-income residents — details are available on the municipal website.