Property taxes in Port Moody won’t be going up as much as council had provisionally approved last December.
But residents won’t be able to celebrate with a glass of wine or can of beer in a city park for now.
That’s because council denied support for additional resources to deal with the garbage staff said resulted during a pilot program allowing the consumption of alcohol in some public spaces like parts of Rocky Point and Old Orchard. That will save city taxpayers $36,000.
Other economies that will shave almost two per cent — down to 6.6 per cent from the original provisional 8.37 per cent increase — include savings of about $100,000 on budgeted pension expenses and another $14,000 by rolling the annual community fair into the planned return of Car Free Day.
As well, Port Moody’s police board is being asked to trim about $126,000 from its budget request.
Paul Rockwood, the city’s general manager of finance and technology, said more revenue is also being anticipated from business licenses, registration for recreation programs and municipal fines. Additionally, the city should realize $206,000 more in growth revenue, another $125,000 in interest because of higher interest rates and $50,000 from leased city properties that include profit sharing provisions.
Coun. Diana Dilworth said the city experienced "unexpected consequences" from the pilot program that was launched last spring and ran through to the end of 2023. They include more garbage and people smoking cigarettes and other substances as they drink, even though that activity is banned in city parks.
“Unfortunately, some people will take a small allowance and take it quite large,” Dilworth said.
But city manager Anna Mathewson hinted opportunities to consume alcohol in some city spaces likely won't be eliminated entirely.
She said an upcoming report to council on the pilot program will include a plan for alcohol consumption be implemented.
As for the rest of the economies, Mayor Meghan Lahti said the city must remain cognizant that it diversify its tax base so businesses and industry can take some of the load off residential property owners.
Lurbiecki shared her concern.
“We’re not investing enough in our business and industrial tax base,” she said, adding the revised property tax is at least “more palatable than it was before.”
