Pitt Meadows Tax and Utility Rates set at 0.64% for 2017

Pitt Meadows City Council ended budget deliberations last week with a 0.64% or a $19 planned increase for 2017 for the average single family home. While the property tax portion of the tax bill came out to an increase of 3.81% or an average of $70, the utilities portion, which includes water, sewer, drainage, garbage and recycling, is decreasing by $51.

The utilities reduction for the average single family home was made possible by the significant savings in the solid waste collection contract recently negotiated by Council and by the transfer of recycling collection to Multi-Materials BC in August. 

Council scrutinized department operating and capital budgets, and reviewed nine budgetary decision packages, in the end approving or modifying eight of them.

The 2017 budget includes ongoing enhancements such as:

• One new police officer to bolster public safety, increase focus on traffic related issues and enhance the Katzie First Nations relationship
• Expanded bylaw enforcement coverage for evenings and weekends
• Increased resourcing for community leadership in emergency preparedness planning
• Increased funding for citizen engagement and communications
• Arts, Culture & Heritage value, awareness, planning and programming and the establishment of ongoing funding to a new Art in Public Places reserve

The $7 million in proposed capital projects will pay for a variety of vehicle, equipment, roads, technology, parks and building projects, including:

• Rannie Road Repave
• Neaves Road Bike Lanes
• Baynes Road Trash Rack System
• Bonson PRV Replacement
• Works Yard Office Expansion to accommodate new parks staff and equipment
• Harris Road Water Play Park
• Firehall Building Replacement (2017 planning)
• Website Refresh

As in previous years, the capital plan also sets aside an additional one per cent in taxes ($177,000) for the future replacement of infrastructure.

Residents interested in the business plans and budget background can find the information on the City’s website at pittmeadows.bc.ca and in hard copy at City Hall and the library.

Council is hosting an information session on property assessments and taxation during a Regular Council meeting in February.

A summary of the 2017 municipal rate changes for the average single family home is illustrated below:

*Average 2016 Single Family property assessed at $510,000 with a 31% 2017 assessment increase