Port Moody residents can have their say on the city's proposed five-year financial plan — and possible 4.38% tax increase for 2016 — at a town hall meeting on Nov. 30.
Residents are usually asked to provide input on the financial plan early in the new year but council has moved up the process to provide enough time to consider all the input before the budget must be passed in May.
In addition to the town hall meeting, the city is providing residents with a budget survey, both in hard copy and online. It asks respondents to rank the importance of various areas of city spending, including arts and culture, parks, emergency services, infrastructure, recreation and more. It also asks residents whether they feel they're receiving good value for their tax dollars and how future services should be funded, whether by taxes or user fees.
And at the town hall meeting, they'll be asked to weigh in on how the city plans to divvy up their tax dollars.
Budget drivers for 2016 include salaries, a proposed increase to the police budget of about 0.6% and the 1% asset renewal levy. The proposed capital budget also includes $355,000 for the library renovation project.
The 4.38% hike, which would cost owner of a home with the average assessed value of $566,700 about $100 more, is higher than the 2015 blended tax increase of 3.38% and the 2.1% rise approved in 2014.
Port Moody Police presented its preliminary budget to council Tuesday, with a $9.8 million budget that is about $207,000 higher than 2015; most of the increase is due to labour costs. As well, the department has asked council that its 2015 surplus of about $445,000, mainly from unfilled vacancies, be used to fund projects, including recruitment of a deputy chief ($50,000), purchasing patrol rifles ($25,000) and replacing security doors ($50,000).
A second town hall meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28, with first three readings of the financial plan bylaw expected by the end of April and adoption on May 10.
spayne@tricitynews.com
@spayneTC
