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
- Taxes are favourable compared to other municipalities in the region – Lowest single family.
- City departments have undertaken a zero based budget approach and incorporated reductions to achieve the 2020 results.
- Asset management plans and condition assessments are key to establishing adequate reserve funding levels.
- Development revenues are anticipated to decline within 5 years - need to plan now.
- Revenue from new development (growth) is substantially lower in 2020; creates increased pressure on taxation.
- Forthcoming decision packages are not included in the property tax increase.
- 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
- The Building Replacement Asset levy is important to continue.
- Complete asset condition assessments.
- Building reserves is a good thing because they:
- Reduce long-term costs,
- Allow for proper asset management and
- Ensure sustainable City services.
- Leverage land whenever possible; and avoid selling to:
- Benefit by an appreciating asset.
- Provide increased flexibility for new/enhanced service level opportunities.
- 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.