Port Coquitlam property owners wanting to see how their tax dollars will be spent this year can watch city budget presentations next week.
On Monday and Wednesday, department heads will roll out their wish lists to council, including programs and services over five years.
Among the activities on the table for this year are:
• planning for a new recreation complex on Wilson Avenue;
• hosting the PoCo Grand Prix bike race on July 12;
• updating the official community plan;
• negotiating a new collective agreement with CUPE Local 498, which represents city workers;
• and launching Shop PoCo, a searchable online director of PoCo businesses.
Chief administrative officer John Leeburn will start Monday at 4:30 p.m. to outline his office's financial plan; he will be followed by presentations from corporate support, development services, finance and the fire department.
On Wednesday, also starting at 4:30 p.m., council will hear from managers in human resources, RCMP, recreation and engineering.
The business plans are expected to be posted on the city's website today (Friday), with council discussions happening Jan. 25 at city hall. The draft budget will go out for public feedback in the middle of February. To have your say, visit portcoquitlam.ca/budget, email [email protected] or call 604-927-5280.
Last month, Coquitlam city council unanimously passed its 2016 budget with a 2.64% jump to residential property taxes to pay for, among other things, six new Mounties and more municipal staff. Coquitlam is also due to start bargaining its CUPE local this year as its union contract ended on Dec. 31.
Meanwhile, Port Moody hosted an open house last November to gain feedback on its next budget and, on Jan. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m., the city will invite stakeholders to city hall for another round. As well, starting on Jan. 27, 400 randomly selected Port Moody residents will be called by Ipsos-Reid to take part in a citizen satisfaction survey; the data will be used as council prepares the budget.
Port Moody residents can also visit the city's website (portmoody.ca) to take a survey and give their priorities for the 2016 financial plan.
[email protected]
@jwarrenTC
