The average homeowner in Port Coquitlam will see a $90 property tax increase this year if council approves the 2012 draft financial plan put forward by staff.
The budget document, which was presented to councillors during Monday's finance and intergovernmental committee meeting, increases the average residential property tax bill by 4.8% over last year's payment.
Utility fees are also expected to rise, with the city's water levy set to increase $25 (6.8%) for the average single-family homeowner while the sewer rate will increase $16 (5.7%).
In the last few years, the city has changed its garbage collection system from weekly to bi-weekly, reducing the cost of the service, which has helped keep 2012 solid waste disposal fees the same as 2011 rates. PoCo has also encouraged more people to separate their green waste from the regular waste stream, which is cheaper to dispose of than sending to a landfill.
But while city staff has done considerable number crunching in preparing the budget, PoCo Mayor Greg Moore said changes can still be made.
"We are now at the point where we need to go out to the public with this," he said Monday. "By no means is this the last debate on this budget."
In 2012, the city's overall operating budget is expected increase by $2.35 million, according to the draft plan, with the majority ($1.48 million) being used to cover inflation and increased labour costs.
Costs for protective services operations will increase by $317,100 to allow for the hiring of two new police officers and three additional firefighters.
The draft budget also allocates $494,000 for long-term infrastructure funding, which will be set aside for the eventual replacement of some of the city's aging roads and other public works.
"What we know is that in cities throughout Canada and the rest of North America, there is an infrastructure gap," said Mindy Smith, the city's director of corporate services. "We are not fully funding the use of our infrastructure and we are starting to move toward that."
This is the third year a 1% increase has been added to the tax bill to set money aside to address the infrastructure gap, Smith added.
Funding for sports, culture and heritage projects is also expected to increase by $96,110 and the new Port Coquitlam Community Foundation will receive $50,000.
Details on how all city funds will be divided will be made available when the 2012-2016 Financial Plan is posted on the city's website on Feb. 27.
A public open house will be held on the budget at the Port Coquitlam recreation complex on March 10 and comments will be considered at a finance and intergovernmental committee meeting on March 19.
The financial plan bylaws are expected to be brought to council for the first three readings on April 9 and final reading on April 23.
gmckenna@tricitynews.com
