This month, Coquitlam council OK’d its property tax and utilities lift of 6.83 per cent.
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Port Moody’s finance committee recommended a 6.2 per cent hike in property taxes and utilities next year.
Now, Port Coquitlam is out with its draft budget for 2025, showing a 4.30 per cent uptick — just on its property tax side alone.
And, next month, PoCo officials will reach out on the $144-million draft financial plan that includes cost drivers such as:
- RCMP and labour contracts = 1.43 per cent
- an infrastructure levy for long-term capital funding = one per cent
- inflation and miscellaneous costs = 1.87 per cent
Still, the additional $95.82 proposed for next year’s property bill in Port Coquitlam does not include utility rises for:
- water
- 7.18 per cent or $35.24
- sewer
- 30.98 per cent or $122.61 (largely due to the North Shore Waste Water Treatment Plant)
- solid waste
- 4.71 per cent or $14.59 (largely due to the new curbside glass collection)
The increases mean an extra $268.26 — for owners of an “average” home in Port Coquitlam assessed at $1,108,776 — will be tacked onto the civic invoice.
Jeffrey Lovell, Port Coquitlam's finance director, told the Tri-City News the figures that went before committee of council on Dec. 17 don't include hiring more RCMP or firefighters; however, he said, the draft budget "provides for the additional costs of maintaining services within Community Safety and Bylaw Services."
"The city collaborates with BC Housing, Progressive Housing Society, Fraser Health and the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group to provide support for unhoused or vulnerable individuals in the area," he added. "Although housing is a provincial responsibility, council has joined the councils of Coquitlam and Port Moody to jointly advocate for additional services and support from the province."
Council reaction
In a news release, Mayor Brad West said many external factors, like inflation and the cost overruns for the Metro Vancouver treatment facility, have put pressure on the city budget.
As a result, the city is dipping into savings to offset the bills for residents and business owners; as well, it is looking for external revenue sources.
“Port Coquitlam taxpayers can be assured we are doing our due diligence on their behalf and working hard to maintain our track record of the lowest average property taxes in the region,” the mayor stated in a news release.
The draft budget is “lean,” added Coun. Dean Washington, council’s budget liaison.
“We’re meeting community needs and focusing on our core responsibilities,” he said. “We look forward to hearing what the public has to say when we launch our budget consultation in January.”
Information about the draft budget will be online starting Jan. 6, 2025, and those who complete the survey by Jan. 26, 2025, will be eligible for a $150 gift card to a Port Coquitlam business of their choice. Budget suggestions can be made year-round by visiting the city's website, calling 604-927-5280 or emailing [email protected].
Meanwhile, Port Coquitlam’s $37.5-million capital plan for 2025 focuses flood protection and core infrastructure updates for Sun Valley Pool, the Maple drainage pump station and Kingsway Avenue.
And its $26-million capital plan for 2026 includes a new multi-use sports hub, Shaughnessy Street underpass improvements and drainage upgrades on Wilson Avenue at Gates Park.
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