Property taxes in Port Coquitlam will go up by 3.7% this year, an increase of just over $71 for the average single-family homeowner.
Council approved the 2013-'17 financial plan at Monday's meeting. The plan includes money for six new firefighters and two new RCMP officers as well as a 1% levy for an infrastructure replacement fund.
PoCo estimates its infrastructure funding gap to build things like new roads, sewers and facilities to be $330 million.
Staff were able to shave $600,000 in city costs by various service level reductions, including the elimination of pest control services on private property, reduced funding for the city's vehicle fleet, less frequent ball diamond grooming and a decrease in staff holiday coverage, totalling just over $400,000. Energy savings and other maintenance costs are expected to save another $217,000.
Coun. Dean Washington was the lone council member to vote against adopting the financial plan. He has raised a red flag about the plan's later years, which predict an almost 20% tax increase over years two through five.
Mayor Greg Moore has noted council and staff will likely find savings as they focus on each year of the budget separately.
