Port Coquitlam homeowners can expect to pay an average of $114 more in property taxes and utilities this year.
This week, the city released its draft two-year, $199-million operations budget — a first for the municipality, with the aim of getting a jumpstart on major projects — that shows taxes bumping up by 4.23% in 2017.
The current projection for next year is an additional tax and levy hike of 3.51%.
The plan, which was presented at Tuesday's budget and infrastructure committee meeting, translates to a $114.18 rise this year for residents living a statistically "average" home — that is, a combination of single- and multi-family homes, with an assessed value of $682,859.
In a nutshell, the proposed increases are:
• for single-family home assessed at $883,239: $131.03;
• for a townhouse assessed at $445,083: $94.70;
• and for an apartment assessed at $336,660: $73.04.
The property tax bill will also include a new $25 parcel tax to help pay for the new PoCo recreation complex, which was to break ground today (Friday).
The fee will be applied to all properties each year until 2020 to help pay for the $132-million rec centre — one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the city's history.
Among the proposals earmarked over the next two years is funding for:
• three new Mounties at the Coquitlam RCMP detachment, which is shared by PoCo, for the city's dedicated Uniformed Crime Reduction Unit;
• five new firefighters in 2017 ($305,000) and another two in '18 ($320,000) plus a second medic truck ($120,000);
• development of a long-term sustainable infrastructure management plan ($145,000);
• a new community garden ($32,600), with a location to be determined;
• and funding for the PoCo Sports Alliance Society, formerly known as the Port Coquitlam Amateur Athletic Association, which is seeking a proposed partnership with the city until 2022 ($73,500).
Council is also budgeting to complete the official community plan this year and is setting aside money for the Downtown Action Plan — designed to spur economic growth in the core — and a new Northside Commercial Plan.
As well, it's looking to increase events and programming at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village, prepare for the second annual PoCo Grand Prix on July 14, make technological changes to improve customer service, prepare for the 2018 civic elections and update the environmental strategic plan and disaster-recovery directory.
To pay for the proposed budget, the city says it will shave off $401,000 — or half a per cent of tax increase — in expenses by streamlining recreation programs (saving $50,000) and reducing — or cutting — two vacant non-union positions. (The city is currently in bargaining with CUPE Local 498 for a new collective agreement for its 350 municipal workers).
More details about the two-year budget is expected to be released next week.
Meanwhile, the city will open public feedback on its draft budget next Tuesday and will take comments until April 11 before it's approved in early May. To have your say, visit portcoquitlam.ca/budget or call 604-927-5280 or email budget@portcoquitlam.ca.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
