PORT COQUITLAM, BC - Jan. 9, 2024... Port Coquitlam residents are encouraged to review and comment on a draft 2024 budget that responsibly keeps the taxpayer in mind while maintaining and investing in priority services and needs.
The annual Budget at a Glance mailout and survey will start arriving in mailboxes next week as the City kicks off public engagement Jan. 9 to 31 on its $134.4-million 2024 budget. For the average home, the draft budget includes an increase of 5.58 per cent ($117.39) in municipal taxes - with 3.56 per cent related to City services and 2.02 per cent to rising RCMP costs.
Residents are invited to complete the survey in print or online at portcoquitlam.ca/2024budget, where additional budget information is posted. As in past years, residents who complete the survey will be entered in a draw for a $150 gift card to a Port Coquitlam business of their choice.
"Despite facing many rising external costs that the city has no control over, we continue to prioritize affordability for our taxpayers," Mayor Brad West said. "I'm pleased that through hard work and our ongoing focus on getting the basics right, our draft 2024 budget invests in core services and community priorities while maintaining our track record of below-average tax increases in our region."
Tactics to reduce taxpayer impact included a line-by-line review of proposed expenditures and revenues, deferral of non-critical items, selective use of reserves and surplus accounts, and leveraging of provincial and federal grant funding. As a result, Port Coquitlam's proposed tax increase for 2024 is well below average in Metro Vancouver based on reported information. Over the past five years, the City's tax and utility increases have been half the regional average.
Development of the proposed 2024 budget was affected by a variety of factors, including:
- Increased costs based on regional or provincial contract negotiations, including CUPE representing civic workers and IAFF representing firefighters,
- Rising costs from the RCMP contract and Public Safety Building due to inflation and the federally-negotiated collective agreement,
- Increased costs from external service providers such as Fraser Valley Regional Library and Metro Vancouver water, sewer and waste services,
- Inflation and escalating costs for supplies and labour for capital projects, and
- New responsibilities from provincial legislation related to accessibility and housing, leading to significant new costs.
"We once again sharpened our pencils on behalf of our taxpayers to address escalating costs while making important investments to address current and future community needs," said Cllr. Dean Washington, Council's designate for budget matters. "It's another responsible budget and we look forward to hearing the community's feedback on it by Jan. 31."
In addition to maintaining current service levels and setting aside funds for replacing and renewing infrastructure, the 2024 budget will fund enhanced services such as:
- Improved safety: One new firefighter,
- Enhanced special events: Includes the grand opening of the upgraded Leigh Square and support for City and community events,
- Improved waste services: Formalizing the large-item pickup program and developing a curbside glass collection program for rollout in 2025, and
- Access support: Removing barriers for access to City recreational programs.
The budget will also bring some new staff and improved services without any impact on the tax bill. These include:
- Improved safety: Additional bylaw officers who will provide a stronger bylaw presence on the streets around the City, funded through increased revenue from bylaw enforcement,
- Reduced approval time for housing projects: Additional planning staff that will allow the City to process more development applications, funded through increased development revenue,
- Dedicated attention for the City's land holdings: A new real estate manager, funded through the savings in real estate fees,
- Increased recreation services: Additional program resources at the Recreation Centres, funded through increased program fees, and
- Optimal maintenance and cleanliness of City recreation facilities: A new facility maintenance coordinator, funded through increased concession and program revenue at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC).
In addition to the property tax increase, the user-pay levies for utilities will go up 2.96 per cent ($13.95) for water and 14.71 per cent ($51.50) for sewer for all properties, and 25.34 per cent ($62.67) for households receiving City waste collection services. These increases primarily relate to a new data-driven, equitable utility levy structure the City is moving to, based on housing type (single-family home, townhomes, apartments and secondary suites). The impact is being phased in over five years starting in 2024.
Property assessments that started arriving from the British Columbia Assessment Authority in the past week will also play a key role in the final tax bill. Properties whose value has risen more or less than other typical properties of the same type will experience a tax rate that differs from the average.
Budget details and input opportunities are posted at portcoquitlam.ca/2024budget.
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Media Contact
Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email [email protected]