Port Coquitlam residents will get the chance to ask questions of staff and city council members and provide their feedback on the upcoming financial plan at an open house this weekend.
The draft 2012 budget has been posted on the city's website since Feb. 27 and calls for a $90.56 (4.8%) overall fee increase for the average home owner in the municipality.
More than $71 (3.77%) of the increase will be used to pay for two additional police officers and three firefighters along with capital improvements to sports fields and park infrastructure.
Some of the money will go toward additional resources for the city's Development Services Department to improve permit processing. Funding will also be allocated for cemetery upgrades, expansion of the green waste pickup program, bus shelter improvements and support for the new Port Coquitlam Community Foundation
Another $19 (a 1% increase) is being collected for an infrastructure levy, which is used to address the on-going issues associated with aging capital assets that are approaching the end of their useful life.
Residents will also pay an additional $41 in utility fees for water and sewer costs, while the solid waste levy will remain the same as last year.
As a result, residents living in an average valued home will pay $2,009 in property taxes and utility fees in 2012.
The open house will be held between 9 a.m. and noon in the main foyer of the Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex (2150 Wilson Ave., Port Coquitlam) on Saturday, March 10.
Those who cannot attend this weekend's event can still send their feedback to the budget suggestion box located on the city's website (www.portcoquitlam.ca). For more information or questions about the plan email budget@portcoquitlam.ca.
gmckenna@tricitynews.com
