Annual Budget

The Financial Plan provides the City with clear direction, ensuring that its work is continually aligned with Council’s strategic priorities, achievable within the annual budget, and responsive to the needs of residents. It also fosters transparency and fiscal accountability to residents.

The current year in the Five-Year Financial Plan forms the annual budget that is informed by the development of annual business plans and ensures the resources needed to deliver the wide range of services to our citizens are balanced against the City's revenues. The Financial Plan identifies both operating and capital expenditures balanced against revenues from such sources as:

• property tax
• sale of services, including utility charges
• development cost charges
• grants
• transfers from other governments

Each fall, City departmental business plans based on robust financial planning and analysis, staff input, Council direction and resident feedback heard throughout the year are presented to Council and the community. The plans represent staff’s best recommendations for key initiatives, budgets, and the Five-Year Financial Plan. A Business Plan is a guide to how the City's goals, as outlined in the Corporate Strategic Plan, are to be achieved. The Plan identifies the key activities to be undertaken by each Department and the resources (budget) required to deliver programs and services in support of Council's goals and objectives.

Business plans are approved by Council and are reviewed and revised annually to ensure they remain current and responsive to newly emerging issues, challenges and changing conditions.

Additionally, the City must produce annual audited financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles through the Public Sector Accounting Board of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. The audited statements must be included in the Annual Report.

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2025-2029 Financial Plan

The five-year financial plan is the end result of the City's annual budget cycle and provides the City with clear direction, ensuring that its work is aligned with Council’s strategic priorities, within budget, and responsive to residents' needs.

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The City received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2025 budget, recognizing its commitment to transparent, accountable financial planning and clear public communication.

The 2025 Statement of Financial Information is available here.

Budget 2025 deliberations were successfully concluded on Monday, December 9, 2024 after Council reviewed and deliberated on department operating and capital budgets and decision packages. A media release on Tuesday, December 10 announced that Council endorsed the City’s 2025 budget of $59.7 million, which includes a property tax and utility fees increase of $34 per month or $411 per year. On Thursday, December 12, the City put out a statement sharing why the City prefers to inform on what residents will pay monthly and/or annually (the actual dollar amount that will be paid), as opposed to percentage increases. This approach offers a clearer, more comparable financial measure to the taxpayer. Read the City's full statement.

The $411 increase is broken down as follows:

Note: Utility fees are included in Pitt Meadows residents’ property taxes received annually in June. Many municipalities in the region collect utility fees at different times of the year from their property tax collections. The majority of costs included within utility fees are uncontrolled by the City, such as Metro Vancouver’s sewer and water costs. 

Business Plan Presentations

Each fall, the City plans how tax dollars and other funding will be invested in the services and infrastructure our residents depend on and enjoy. Department business plans are developed with careful consideration of City finances, staff expertise, Council direction, and resident feedback, and are then presented to City Council and the public. These plans provide recommendations for the City's key initiatives, budgets and the Five-Year Financial Plan. Residents are encouraged to attend the public meetings to hear what is being considered and provide their comments. 

The 2025 business plan presentations occurred on Monday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 26, 2024. View them online: pittmeadows.ca/councilmeetings. 

2025 Proposed Business Plans by Department

• Budget Overview
• Office of the CAO
• Administrative Services
• Financial Services
• Library Services
• Engineering
• Facilities
• Major Projects
• Operations
• RCMP Police Services
• RCMP Housing and Support
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Communications
• Planning
• Building and Bylaw Services
• Agriculture and Environment
• Emergency Program
• Fire & Rescue Service
• Parks
• Recreation
• Culture
• Corporate Sponsorship and Grants

Budget Deliberations

After incorporating revisions based on Council and public feedback from the business planning presentations, Council deliberated on and approved the the proposed budget on Monday, December 9. The approved budget determined the annual property tax increase as noted above. View the budget deliberations online: pittmeadows.ca/councilmeetings.

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 604-465-2461 or email info@pittmeadows.ca.

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2024-2028 Financial Plan

To learn more about the purpose and development of the Financial Plan see: Budget & Business Planning.

2024 Budget

Budget deliberations were successfully concluded on December 11, 2023 after Council reviewed and deliberated on department operating and capital budgets and decision packages. A media release on December 14 announced that Council approved the 2024 budget of $54.2 million with a property tax increase of $39 per month or $469 annually for the average single-family home. The annual increase is comprised of $264 in Utility Fees and $205 in Property Taxes equivalent to 7.79%.

The $469 increase is broken down as follows:

Read the full media release for details here. 

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 604.465.2461 or email info@pittmeadows.ca.

2024 Proposed Budget & Business Plans

Each fall, the City creates business plans for each of its departments and presents them to City Council and the public. These business plans are made with careful consideration of the City’s finances, staff expertise, Council direction, and taking into account feedback from residents heard throughout the year. The plans represent recommendations for key initiatives, budgets, and the Five-Year Financial Plan. This process is designed to provide transparency and accountability to allow the community to better understand City priorities and how taxpayer dollars are spent.

2024 Proposed Business Plans by Department

• Budget Overview
• Office of the CAO
• Administrative Services
• Financial Services
• RCMP Police Services
• Fire & Rescue Services
• Emergency Program
• Library Services
• Planning & Development
• Parks
• Recreation
• Culture
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Communications
• Engineering
• Major Projects
• Facilities
• Operations

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2023-2027 Financial Plan

To learn more about the purpose and development of the Financial Plan see: Budget & Business Planning.

2023 Budget

Budget Deliberations were successfully concluded on December 13, 2022. Council reviewed and deliberated on department operating and capital budgets and decision packages. A December 15 media release announced that Council concluded budget deliberations with approving a budget of $50 million with a combined property tax and utilities increase of 7.61% for the average single-family, equaling $283 per year ($23.58 per month), and 7.78% for multi-family ($178 per year or $14.83 per month).

The $283 increase is broken down as follows:

• Non-discretionary charges related to Metro Vancouver water and sewage treatment, RCMP policing costs, as well as supply chain and high inflationary pressures; all of which account for $133 or a 3.58% of the total increase. 
• Asset Savings account for $48 or 1.3%, providing $13 million towards future replacement of aging infrastructure and ensuring long-term sustainability.
• Investing in the Fire & Rescue Services with the addition of nine Fire Positions for $95 or 2.55%.
• Providing a Place of Remembrance, an additional Labourer II and other initiatives & maintenance adjustments for $12 or 0.33%.

This leaves $28 or 0.74% for all other City departments to maintain existing service levels.

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 604.465.2418 or email info@pittmeadows.ca.

2023 Proposed Budget & Business Plans

Each fall, the City creates business plans for each of its departments and presents them to City Council and the public. These business plans are made with careful consideration of the City’s finances, staff expertise, Council direction, and taking into account feedback from residents heard throughout the year. The plans represent recommendations for key initiatives, budgets, and the Five-Year Financial Plan. This process is designed to provide transparency and accountability to allow the community to better understand City priorities and how taxpayer dollars are spent.

2023 Business Plans by Department

• Financial Plan Overview
  • Attachments:
    • Operating and Capital Budget Tables
    • Statistics
    • Executive Summary – Utilities
    • Executive Summary – General Fund
• Office of the CAO/Council
• Administrative Services
• Financial Services
• Planning & Development
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Communications
• Library Services
• RCMP Police Services
• Parks
• Recreation
• Arts & Culture
• Engineering
• Facilities
  • Heritage Hall Accessibility Feasibility Study
• Operations
• Emergency Program
• Fire & Rescue Services

2022-2026 Financial Plan

To learn more about the purpose and development of the Financial Plan see: Budget & Business Planning.

Adoption of the Financial Plan
Budget Deliberations were successfully concluded on December 13, 2021. Council reviewed and deliberated on department operating and capital budgets and decision packages.  A December 16 media release announced Council concluded budget deliberations Council concluded budget deliberations with approving a budget of $47.7 million with a combined property tax and utilities increase of 5.30% for the average single-family, equaling $181 per year ($15 per month), and 5.00% for multi-family ($113 per year or $9 per month).

The $181 increase is broken down as follows:

Following business plan presentations and budget deliberations, Pitt Meadows City Council adopted the budget and adopted the 2022–2026 Financial Plan Bylaw on March 29, 2022.

2022 Proposed Business Plans & Budget

Each fall, City departmental business plans for the following year are developed and presented to Council and the community. These are based on robust financial planning and analysis, staff input, Council direction and resident feedback heard throughout the year. The plans represent recommendations for key initiatives, budgets, and the Five-Year Financial Plan. This process provides an additional transparency and accountability to enable the community to better understand City priorities and the budgeting process.

Watch the business planning presentations that took place on November 22 and 29 at pittmeadows.ca/councilmeetings. See below for individual department plans.

Business Plans and Presentations

Department business plan presentations occurred on November 23 and November 24, 2021. Staff presented Council with an overview of their area, including: key services; staffing complement; 2020 achievements; deferred projects; 2021 key challenges, 2021 key initiatives; and proposed operating and capital budgets. Staff also introduced any decision packages related to recommended service level changes. See below for individual department plans.

All presentations are available on the City website. To view agendas, meeting minutes or watch the video, visit pittmeadows.ca/councilmeetings.

2022 Business Plans by Department 

• Budget Overview
  • Attachments:
  • Operating and Capital Budget Tables
  • Statistics
  • Executive Summary – Utilities
  • Executive Summary – General Fun
• Office of the CAO
• Administrative Services
• Financial Services
• RCMP Police Services
• Fire & Rescue Services
• Emergency Program
• Library Services
• Planning & Development
• Parks
• Recreation
• Culture
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Communications
• Engineering
• Facilities
• Operations

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 604.465.2418 or email info@pittmeadows.ca.

2021-2025 Financial Plan

To learn more about the purpose and development of the Financial Plan see: Budget & Business Planning.

Adoption of the Financial Plan
Following business plan presentations and budget deliberations, Pitt Meadows City Council adopted the budget and adopted the 2021–2025 Financial Plan Bylaw in April 2021. A media release announced approval of the 2021 budget at 3.77 percent or $125 (single-family home), which is broken down as follows:

Business Plans and Presentations
Department business plan presentations occurred on November 23 and November 24, 2021.Staff presented Council with an overview of their area, including: key services; staffing complement; 2020 achievements; deferred projects; 2021 key challenges, 2021 key initiatives; and proposed operating and capital budgets. Staff also introduced any decision packages related to recommended service level changes. See below for individual department plans.

All presentations are available on the City website. To view agendas, meeting minutes or watch the video, visit pittmeadows.ca/councilmeetings.

2021 Proposed Business Plans by Department

• Budget Overview
• Office of the CAO
• Administrative Services
• Financial Services
• RCMP Police Services
• Fire & Rescue Services
• Emergency Program
• Library Services
• Planning & Development
• Parks
• Recreation
• Culture
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Communications
• Engineering
• Facilities
• Operations

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 604.465.2418 or email info@pittmeadows.ca.

Budget Deliberations
Budget Deliberations were successfully concluded on December 11, 2019. Council reviewed and deliberated on department operating and capital budgets and decision packages.  A December 16 press release announced Council concluded budget deliberations with a 4.52 percent increase or $144 for the average single family home ($95 for a  multi-family home).

The 4.52 percent increase is broken down as follows:

 Of the 4.52 percent:
•    3.45 percent of the increase relates to uncontrollable costs:

• 1.29 percent for asset management savings for the future; 
• 1.04 percent for uncontrollable costs for contracted services (Metro Vancouver for Water and Sewer services and RCMP and Library services); 
•  1.12 percent for City department contractual costs of collective agreements;

•    0.22 percent for the addition of two part-time positions or 0.9 Full Time Equivalent (FTE); and 
•    0.85 percent for an increase in non-salary cost of living and other adjustments. 

Highlights from the 2020 Financial Plan Workshop
On November 26th, 2019, the City's Director of Finance provided a presentation to Council and residents on the 2020 Financial Plan. The presentation can be viewed here.

Operating Budget Key Points

1.  Taxes are favourable compared to other municipalities in the region – Lowest single family.
2.  City departments have undertaken a zero based budget approach and incorporated reductions to achieve the 2020 results.
3.  Asset management plans and condition assessments are key to establishing adequate reserve funding levels.
4.  Development revenues are anticipated to decline within 5 years - need to plan now.
5.  Revenue from new development (growth) is substantially lower in 2020; creates increased pressure on taxation.
6.  Forthcoming decision packages are not included in the property tax increase.
7.  The total proposed property tax increase of 3.98% equates to about $81 for the average assessed single family home (final rate increase set at 4.52% including tax & utilities and addition of two part-time positions totalling 0.9 FTE after budget deliberations completed in December 2019).

Capital Budget Key Points

1. The Building Replacement Asset levy is important to continue.
2. Complete asset condition assessments.
3. Building reserves is a good thing because they:
   • Reduce long-term costs,
   • Allow for proper asset management and
   • Ensure sustainable City services.
4. Leverage land whenever possible; and avoid selling to:
   • Benefit by an appreciating asset.
   • Provide increased flexibility for new/enhanced service level opportunities.
5. Seek opportunities to purchase land to provide enhanced service opportunities.

2020 Proposed Business Plans & Budget
Each fall the City prepares business plans and budgets for the following year. Meetings are open to the public and are conducted in Council in Committee format with a question and comment period provided at the end of meeting. See the full Corporate Business Plan, including each department's business plans. Department business plan presentations occurred on December 9 and 11. See below for individual department plans.

Staff presented Council with an overview of their area, including: key services; staffing complement; 2019 achievements; deferred projects; 2020 key challenges, 2020 key initiatives; and proposed operating and capital budgets. Staff also introduced any decision packages related to recommended service level changes.

A presentation of the Utilities Budget was also made to Council and is summarized in the Corporate Business Plan.

All presentations are available on the City website. To view agendas, meeting minutes or watch visit pittmeadows.ca/councilmeetings.

Business Plans by Department

• Executive Summary
• Strategic Priorities
• Office of the CAO
• Administrative Services
• Community Services (Planning and Development; Arts, Recreation, and Culture)
• Corporate Services (HR; Occupational Health and Safety; Payroll; Communications; IT
• Emergency Program
• Engineering and Operations (Engineering; Facilities; Operations; Parks)
• Financial Services
• Fire and Rescue Services
• Library Services
• RCMP Police Services

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 604.465.2418.

Budget Deliberations
Budget Deliberations were successfully concluded on January 23, 2019. Council reviewed and deliberated on department operating and capital budgets and decision packages. A January 25th press release announced Council concluded budget deliberations with a 5.58 percent increase or $170 for the average single family home ($98 for a  multi-family home). 

The 5.58 percent increase is broken down as follows:

55 percent of the increase is outside of the City’s control and attributed primarily to Metro Vancouver and Provincial Employer Health Tax increases.

Highlights from the 2019 Financial Plan Workshop

On November 27, 2018, the City's Director of Finance provided a presentation to Council and residents on the 2019 Financial Plan. The presentation can be viewed here. 

Operating Budget Key Points

1.  Taxes are favourable compared to other municipalities in the region – Lowest single family.
2.  City departments have undertaken a zero based budget approach and incorporated expense reductions and/or revenue enhancements to achieve the 2019 results.
3.  Asset management plans and condition assessments are key to establishing adequate reserve funding levels.
4.  Snow and ice surface maintenance levels need to be monitored in 2019 to better assess cost impacts & service levels.
5.  Need to plan for declining development processing revenues.
6.  Taxation revenue from new development (growth) is substantially lower in 2019 creating increased pressure to taxation.
7.  A proposed 5.75%  tax and utilities increase is needed to maintain current service levels(final rate set at 5.58% including addition of two Fire Safety Technicians after budget deliberations completed in January 2019).
8.  The total proposed tax and utilities increase of 5.75% equates to about $175 for the average single family home (final rate set at 5.58% and $170 including addition of two Fire Safety Technicians after budget deliberations completed in January 2019) .

Capital Budget Key Points

1. The Building Replacement Asset levy is important to continue.
2. Complete asset condition assessments.
3. Building reserves:
   • Reduces long-term costs,
   • Allows for proper asset management and
   • Ensure sustainable City services.
4. Leverage land whenever possible and avoid selling.
5. Seek opportunities to purchase land to provide enhanced service opportunities.

2019 Proposed Business Plans & Budget
Each fall the City prepares business plans and budgets for the following year.  Meetings are open to the public and will be conducted in Council in Committee format with a question and comment period provided at the end of meeting. See the full Corporate Business Plan, including each department's business plans.  Presentations of the departmental sections of the 2019 Corporate Business Plan were held on December 10th and 12th, 2018. See below for individual department plans.

Staff presented Council with an overview of their area, including: key services; staffing complement; 2018 achievements; deferred projects; 2019 key challenges, 2019 key initiatives; and proposed operating and capital budgets. Staff also introduced any decision packages related to recommended service level changes.

A presentation of the Utilities Budget was also made to Council and is summarized in the Corporate Business Plan.

Business Plans by Department

• Office of the CAO
• Community Services (Development Services; Recreation Services; Cultural Services)
• Corporate Office
• Corporate Services (HR; Occupational Health & Safety; Payroll; Communications; IT)
• Emergency Program
• Engineering & Operations (Engineering; Operations; Parks; Facilities)
• Financial Services
• Fire & Rescue Services
• Library Services
• RCMP Police Services

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 604.465.2418.

Budget Deliberations
Council concluded budget deliberations on January 10, 2018.  For more information, please see the media release here.

Highlights from the 2018 Financial Plan Workshop
On October 24, 2017, the City's Director of Finance provided a presentation to Council and residents on the 2018 Financial Plan.

Operating Budget Key Points

1.  Taxes are favourable compared to other municipalities in the region.
2.  City departments have undertaken a zero based budget approach and incorporated reductions to achieve the 2018 results.
3.  Asset management plans and condition assessments are key to establishing adequate reserve funding levels.
4.  Snow and ice surface maintenance levels need to be monitored in 2018 to better assess cost impacts & service levels.
5.  Need to plan for declining development processing revenues.
6.  Taxation revenue from new development (growth) is substantially lower in 2018 creating increased pressure to taxation.
7.  A 3.38% tax increase is needed to maintain current service levels.
8.  The total proposed tax increase of 3.38% equates to about $66 for the average single family home.

Capital Budget Key Points

1. The Building Replacement Asset levy is important to continue
2. Complete asset condition assessments
3. Building reserves:
   • Reduces long-term costs,
   • Allows for proper asset management and
   • Ensure sustainable City services.
4. Leverage land whenever possible and avoid selling

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 604.465.2418.

2018 Proposed Business Plans & Budget
Each fall the City prepares business plans and budgets for the following year.  Meetings are open to the public and will be conducted in Council in Committee format with a question and comment period provided at the end of meeting.  See the full Corporate Business Plan, including each department's business plans.  Public presentation on these plans were held at City Hall on Monday, December 11 and Wednesday, December 13.  See below for individual department plans.

Business Plans by Department

• Office of the CAO
• Administration
• Community Services (Development Services; Recreation; Parks & Facilities;)
• Corporate Services (Human Resources, Communications & Information Technology)
• Cultural Services
• Emergency Program
• Engineering & Operations
• Finance
• Fire & Rescue Services
• Library Services
• RCMP Police Services
• Infrastructure Capital

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 604.465.2418.

On October 25, 2016, the City's Director of Finance provided a presentation to Council and residents on the 2017 Financial Plan.  For more information, please see the presentation slides.

Highlights from the 2017 Financial Plan Workshop

Operating Budget Key Points

1. Taxes are favourable compared to other municipalities in the region
2. Asset management plans and condition assessments are key to establishing adequate reserve funding levels
3. City departments have experienced multi-year budget tightening and cannot sustain further budget adjustments without impacting service levels
4. Need to plan for declining development revenues
5. A 2.76% tax increase is needed to maintain current service levels
6. The total proposed tax increase of 2.76% equates to about $51 for the average single family home

Capital Budget Key Points

1. The 1% Building Replacement Asset levy is very important
2. A building replacement prioritization process needs to be undertaken
3. Building reserves:
   • Reduces long-term costs,
   • Allows for proper asset management and
   • Ensure sustainable City services
4. Leverage land whenever possible and avoid selling

See the full Corporate Business Plan, including each department's business plans.  Public presentation on these plans were held at City Hall on Wednesday, December 7 and Monday, December 12.  See below for individual department plans:

Business Plans by Department

• CAO/Corporate Administration 
• Library Services
• RCMP/Police Services
• Financial Services
• Community Services (Development Services; Recreation; Parks & Facilities; Special Events; Arts, Culture & Heritage; Emergency Management)
• Fire & Rescue Services
• Operations & Engineering - Operating
• Operations & Engineering - Capital
• Corporate Services (Human Resources, Communications & Information Technology)

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 604.465.2418.