Port Coquitlam taxpayers have until Jan. 31 to provide feedback on a draft 2024 budget that responsibly keeps the taxpayer in mind while maintaining and investing in priority services and needs
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. By now all property owners should have received budget highlights in the mail and can find more information and links to the online survey at portcoquitlam.ca/2024budget.
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.
The annual budget also funds a variety of capital improvements. Projects rolling out in 2023 through the approved $35.2 million Capital Plan include:
- Neighbourhood rehabilitation including paving, utilities, sidewalks and streetlighting,
- Lane paving,
- Upgrades to Gates Park and other parks, sports fields and sport courts,
- A washroom at Blakeburn Lagoons Park,
- A Terry Fox sculpture and interactive exhibit at Port Coquitlam Community Centre,
- Sidewalks, pedestrian safety, and traffic calming,
- Cedar Creek culvert upgrades, and
- Expansion of Port Coquitlam cemetery.
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 planning for the introduction of curbside glass recycling 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).
Taxpayer Impact
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. The primary driver for utility increases are higher external service provider costs from Metro Vancouver.
Have Your Say on the Budget
The City has expanded its annual budget survey once again to gain additional insights and public opinion that will help shape future service delivery.
Additional opportunities for budget feedback have been added where one can rate and rank on upcoming City capital projects.
To give your feedback, visit portcoquitlam.ca/2024budget to review the budget information and click the link to complete the survey by January 31 on the Let's Talk PoCo engagement portal.
For more information, visit portcoquitlam.ca/2024budget or contact [email protected] or 604.927.5280.
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Media Contact
Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email [email protected]