Port Coquitlam taxpayers interested in hearing what’s in store for 2018 and 2019 may attend City Council’s budget deliberation sessions starting Dec. 11.

A more streamlined budget process will take place for 2018 – year two of the 2017-18 operating budget adopted last May. With the bulk of next year’s budget planning already completed, Council’s discussions will primarily focus on new items related to emerging needs and changing conditions. Council will also be revisiting the capital budget, which funds infrastructure improvements.

The deliberations will take place on Dec. 11 and 12, 4:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room at Port Coquitlam City Hall and are open to the public. If additional deliberation is required, the discussions will continue Dec. 18 and 19 at the same time and place.

The focus of the discussions on Dec. 11 will be the 2018-19 capital program. The two-year capital project approval is part of the city’s strategy for ensuring multiple competitive bids are received for projects, by designing and tendering the projects a year in advance of construction.

The renewed capital program proposes the following amendments to the 2017-18 capital program Council approved earlier this year.

• An additional $246,500 for fleet replacement
• An additional $13,600 for the RCMP Public Safety Building
• Deferral of McLean Park renovations to 2019
• Donald Ave Pathway – proposed high pressure watermain relocation

The following new projects are being proposed:

• New funding for city bus shelters (from shelter advertising contract revenues)
• Fox Park playground upgrades, including new facilities and ground surface
• Mary Hill and Kelly Avenue utility upgrades (related to Community Recreation Complex projects)
• Nicola Avenue/Hawkins Street intersection improvement

Highlights of the 2018-2019 capital plan include:

• Funding over the next four years for the Community Recreation Complex construction
• Upgrades to Centennial Pool and extension of the Donald Avenue Pathway,
• Rehabilitation of approximately 3.5 kilometres of road
• Replacement of approximately three kilometres of water, sanitary or storm infrastructure
• Additional $1.39 million for sidewalks and pedestrian safety improvements
• Additional $300,000 for active transportation projects (e.g. cycling improvements)
• Additional $100,000 to support traffic calming (e.g. speed bumps and curb bulges)
• Year one of a four-year program to convert city streetlights to LED
• A variety of software upgrades to improve efficiencies and customer service, and to meet licensing requirements
• Developing an asset management strategy and policy
• Starting development of a city-wide asset management plan

In terms of the operating budget, activities scheduled to take place in 2018 include:

• Expanding Terry Fox Library hours to include all Sundays,
• Moving to the regional E-Comm emergency radio communications system for fire calls,
• Developing a marketing plan for the city`s arts, culture and recreation services,
• Hosting the third annual PoCo Grand Prix,
• Coordinating the municipal and school board election in 2018,
• Implementing new software to improve records management,
• Funding for two new firefighters to keep up with increasing call volumes,
• Providing support for PoCo Sports Alliance service delivery and community sport development,
• Developing a new community garden that will encourage participation by people of all ages,
• Expanding of the Pianos on the Street program in 2018,
• Updating the Environmental Strategic Plan,
• Development of the Northside Commercial Plan.

Public consultation on any proposed operating budget changes will take place early in the new year, when the city will mail out a Budget at a Glance newsletter to all households and conduct its annual budget survey.

To view the Department Business Plans and for more information about the budget process, meeting times and locations, or to provide input year-round through the City’s Budget Suggestion Box, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/budget, email budget@portcoquitlam.ca or phone 604.927.5280.

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CONTACT:
Farouk Zaba
Manager of Financial Planning and Systems
City of Port Coquitlam
T: 604.927.5280
E: zabaf@portcoquitlam.ca