Port Coquitlam residents have an opportunity to share their input on the city’s $114.5-million draft budget.
The city is asking residents and taxpayers what matters to them as it launches public consultation on the year’s spending, which includes a $71.14 increase in property taxes and utilities — or 2.39% — for the average home assessed at $735,185.
According to the city, the 2021 figures reflect the elimination of the $25 parcel tax for the new Port Coquitlam Community Centre offset by rising utility and other costs beyond the city’s control, reduced revenue due to the pandemic and some enhancements to core services that residents have been asking for.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Let’s Talk PoCo), an interactive and user-friendly online public engagement platform. The 2021 budget consultation is a featured project on the website.
Although an account is not needed to complete the budget survey, those who sign up by Jan. 31 will be entered to win a $50 gift card to the Port Coquitlam business of their choice and a basket of city swag. The platform provides residents with a variety of options to provide feedback on the budget and other upcoming projects.
The deadline for budget consultation, however, is Jan. 17.
“We’re pleased to deliver some of the services our residents have been asking for — like more holiday recycling pickup and snow removal — and some key infrastructure projects that will improve our quality of life,” stated Mayor Brad West in a press release.
The roughly 2.39% property tax hike (depending on assessment) comes nine months after council slashed the previous year’s rate to zero to help residents in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic
The 2021 annual budget will carry through on council priorities, such as increased bylaw enforcement, along with some enhancements to core services that residents have been asking that will total $6.23 (0.32%) of the proposed increase.
These include a day of extra holiday recycling in 2021, increases in snow removal, city-wide litter collection, park graffiti removal and grass cutting, sport field and court maintenance, and a gender-equity program offering free menstrual products in city facilities.
A number of other 2021 initiatives will be funded through existing budgets or through accumulated surplus, reserves or grants so will not impact 2021 taxes.
The city will also continue to look for ways to support the community in 2021 as the pandemic continues, and to adjust services and operations to accommodate new health and safety protocols.
“We’ve conducted a thorough review and carried out extensive debate to ensure we’re delivering a budget that best serves our taxpayers and our community, both now and in the future,” said Coun. Dean Washington, council’s designate for budget matters, in the press release. “We look forward to hearing from our residents and businesses through our budget consultation process to help ensure our decisions continue to reflect the community’s priorities.”
In terms of impact on taxpayers, property assessments — arriving from the British Columbia Assessment Authority in early January — will play a key role in the final tax bill. Properties whose value has risen more or less than other typical properties of the same type will experience a tax rate that differs from the average.
