Council Workshop #1 Summary

An overview of the findings of the 2025 Budget engagement program was shared with Council. Nearly 500 residents participated in the expanded program. The main finding is that participants support the City’s efforts to maintain service levels and invest in recreation and infrastructure, but are concerned about affordability and cost-of-living in the City, especially residents who are on a fixed income or lower income.

Staff presented an overview of the budget goals including advancing City priorities, maintaining high levels of services, providing for renewal and replacement of aging capital assets and investments in recreational amenities to meet the needs of the community now and into the future.

The General Operating Budget was reviewed in detail. Increases in the budget are intended to maintain service levels, build capacity for infrastructure and asset management, replace emergency services fleet, address increases to the E-Comm levy, and support roads and street maintenance. Council inquired about the budget for policing, increases to the E-Comm Levy and commended efforts to address asset management.

The Utilities Operating Budget was also reviewed in detail. Increases to the water program can be attributed to Metro Vancouver increases to water rates. Increases to the sewer program are attributed to the rising costs of the Metro Vancouver Waste Water Treatment Plant. Minimal increases are proposed to support the solid waste and recycling program. Council inquired about the City’s metering program and progress.