Port Coquitlam residents have days remaining to provide input on the city's draft budget for 2023.
Taxpayers have until this Sunday (March 26) to give their feedback on the municpality's spending priorities.
The draft budget calls for an increase of 3.38 per cent, or $105, including both property taxes and utilities, based on an average home ($967,000).
It's one of the lowest tax hikes in Metro Vancouver, the city said in a news release.
A review of revenue streams was also conducted to help deal with rising costs and inflation.
As well, the city's finances were aided by increased revenue from new development, higher investment returns and transfers from the RCMP operating reserve.
By now, PoCo staff added that all property owners should have received budget highlights in the mail, but can also find more information and links to the online survey on the city's website.
The proposed 2023 budget includes:
- two (2) new firefighters
- two (2) 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
