PITT MEADOWS, BC – On December 11, Council endorsed the 2024 budget of $54.2 million. Based on 2023 average assessed value of residential properties ($1.2 million for the single-family home), homeowners should expect an increase of $39 per month or $469 annually. The annual increase is comprised of $264 in Utility Fees and $205 in Property Taxes equivalent to 7.79%.
The 2024 Budget will support Council’s priorities related to: enhancements in the Fire & Rescue Service; new recreation facilities as well as the funding of an Irrigation Study, Climate Action Plan and detailed planning for developing the Civic Centre.
“The 2024 Budget demonstrates Council’s unwavering investment in safety, critical asset management replacement as well as the enhancement of facilities at Pitt Meadows Athletic Park (PMAP),” says Mayor Nicole MacDonald. “The budget also includes funding for a detailed irrigation study, which will help the City to better understand next steps in supporting the irrigation needs of local farmers. Addressing current and future water needs for agriculture is a priority action coming out of the City’s recently-updated Agricultural Viability Strategy.”
The $469 increase is broken down as follows:
Community Safety
“Council invested an additional $18 to hire four additional flex firefighters to ensure that Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue Service has four firefighters on the first responding apparatus, 100 percent of the time," says Fire Chief Stephane Drolet. “This will ensure the department meets WorkSafe BC regulations during initial operations at fire and complex incidents. This also positions the department well for the new Structure Firefighter Minimum Training Standards from the Office of the Fire Commissioner coming into effect in March 2024.”
2024 Capital Projects
The total Capital Plan is valued at $26.8 million with the majority of the program funding coming from reserve savings. Some of the significant projects planned for 2024 include:
- Double Artificial Turf for PMAP - $10,600,000
- Covered Multi Sport Box for PMAP - $8,100,000
- Kennedy Pump Station Replacement - $1,800,000
- Detailed Irrigation Study - $300,000
- Climate Action Plan - $150,000
- Civic Centre Master Plan - $130,000
Major cost pressures come from:
- Uncontrollable costs charges related to Metro Vancouver water and sewage treatment, collective agreements, RCMP policing costs, as well as supply chain and high inflationary pressures; all of which account for $356.
- Asset Replacement Savings account for $97 providing an additional $1.0 million towards future replacement of aging infrastructure and ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Investing in the Fire and Service with the creation of a full time Administrative Clerk and the addition of four flex Firefighter positions for $21.
- An Economic Development Strategy implementation plan for $2.
“The 2024 Budget is focused on investments to public safety and recreational facilities as well as ensuring future infrastructure needs can be met with annual contributions to the asset reserve savings and accounts for inflation, new assets and rising costs since the pandemic,” says Director of Finance Laura Barroetavena. “In addition, this budget accounts for significant uncontrollable cost increases payable to Metro Vancouver for water and sewer treatment. This increase enables the City to offset the costs of water and increased water consumption that is needed to achieve a sustainable self-funding model for all City utility services.”
For a more comprehensive breakdown of the 2024 Budget, watch the department business plan presentations on November 27 and 28 and the budget deliberations on December 11 at pittmeadows.ca/councilmeetings. Learn more about the 2024 Budget and business plans at pittmeadows.ca/budget.
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For more information please contact:
Carolyn Baldridge
Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
City of Pitt Meadows
cbaldridge@pittmeadows.ca