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Port Coquitlam proposes 3.38% tax hike for 2023 budget

Port Coquitlam is proposing a 3.38 per cent tax increase for the 2023 budget year, including utilities — the lowest in the Tri-Cities.
Diane Strandberg
Diane Strandberg
construction-in-front-of-port-coquitlam-city-hall
Construction to upgrade Veterans Park is taking place in front of Port Coquitlam City Hall.Diane Strandberg

Port Coquitlam is proposing a 3.38 per cent tax increase for the 2023 budget year — the lowest in the Tri-Cities.

The hike, if approved by council, would cost about $105 extra this year for property taxes and utilities, based on an average $967,000 home.

It puts Port Coquitlam in a favourable spot, according to the city, which states in a press release that it has lower-than-average property taxes and utilities compared to other municipalities in Metro Vancouver. 

Port Moody is launching a public input into its draft budget with a proposed 11.33 per cent tax while Coquitlam has already OK'd a 5.48 tax hike.

“There are many rising costs for the city that are beyond our control, but we’ve worked incredibly hard to find savings while not compromising on our responsibilities to our citizens,” said Mayor Brad West.

Impact on taxpayers

Broken down, the city’s proposed 3.38 per cent jump includes:

  • a property tax increase of 3.73 per cent ($76.14) consisting of 2.28 per cent for city services, one per cent for long-term infrastructure replacement and 0.45 per cent increase for RCMP contracted policing costs
  • a solid waste levy increase of 3.69 per cent ($8.81) for single-family homes receiving city waste collection
  • utility levy increases of 2.81 per cent ($13.61) for water services and 1.97 per cent ($6.95) for sewer services, included in the utility bills mailed to homes last week

Businesses will also face a 3.73 per cent increase for taxes and utilities, consistent with residential.

The city is now seeking feedback on the budget with an online survey. Anyone who works or lives in PoCo can have their say, with more budget information and budget details delivered to homes next week in the annual Budget at a Glance mailout.

What's new in the budget

The proposed 2023 budget includes:

  • two new firefighters
  • two new RCMP officers
  • improved cybersecurity
  • resources to manage development applications
  • new master transportation plan
  • more customer service at Port Coquitlam Community Centre
  • flood-protection infrastructure
  • increasing the tree canopy
  • adopting a new climate action plan
  • infrastructure replacement

New capital plan initiatives

As well, Port Coquitlam also has several capital plan initiatives, totalling $35.2 million. They 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
  • expansion of Port Coquitlam cemetery