Port Coquitlam taxpayers have until Mar. 25 to provide feedback on a draft city budget that focuses on core services while making investments for a more safe, family-friendly and livable community.

Property owners will receive budget highlights in the mail starting this week and can find more information and links to the online survey at www.portcoquitlam.ca/2019budget.

The draft $106-million operating budget would increase Port Coquitlam property taxes by 2.99 per cent for the average home assessed at $818,564. Breakdowns for different property types are available online.

The budget includes funding for new RCMP officers focusing on traffic, youth, sex crimes and domestic violence; the new Port Coquitlam Community Centre under construction downtown (one per cent of the increase); and long-term replacement of critical infrastructure (one per cent).

Other planned improvements – funded by surplus or reserve accounts with no impact on 2019 taxes – include:

• User-friendly downtown directional and parking signs,
• Digitization of property records,
• Continuing asset management work for the long-term management of City infrastructure,
• Funding for the new Port Coquitlam Event Society,
• Support for Port Coquitlam Community Foundation, Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable and Port Coquitlam Heritage and Cultural Society,
• A large video screen and speakers for the Remembrance Day ceremony, and
• Funding to increase marketing of City’s recreation programs, events and other services.

This is in addition to a wide range of planned activities in 2019, such as:

• The opening of the first amenities at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre this fall, including two ice sheets and the library,
• The pilot of leash-optional areas at Skyline Park and Chelsea Park beginning Mar. 11,
• Updated regulations for the improved management and protection of trees,
• New Official Community Plan policies to encourage housing affordability and choice in new developments, and more family-friendly housing in townhouse zones,
• Planning for a third community garden, along with a new interactive, whimsical garden at Lions Park, and
• Community events throughout the year including May Days, Canada Day and the fourth annual PoCo Grand Prix. 

The budget also includes funding for the $87-million 2019-2020 capital budget adopted in the fall. Capital projects this year include:

• Continuing city-wide LED streetlight conversions,
• Completion of upgrades to Centennial Pool,
• Sidewalk, pedestrian safety, cycling and traffic calming projects,
• A new spray park for Castle Park,
• Drinking water fountains at Leigh Square and Gates Park,
• Improvements to Fox Park playground and Thompson Park ball fields,
• 3.5 kilometres of road rehabilitation and utility works, and
• Detailed design work for Prairie Avenue improvements.

For more information, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/budget or contact budget@portcoquitlam.ca or 604.927.5280.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca