Mayor Deb Walters, City of Pitt Meadows
Photograph by: submitted , for the TIMES
City of Pitt Meadows has launched its 2013 budget process and will give the public an opportunity to have their say in one week.
"Right now everyone [at City hall] is focused on business plan presentations. This week each department will present what it is they do and what their plan is for next year," said Dean Rear, director of finance with the City.
"Next week we will start looking at the financial plan and proposed budget, which is a reflection of the business plan. There will be an opportunity for public input on Dec. 11," Rear added.
The proposed operating budget is $28.9 million, which includes water, sewer, solid waste, and drainage.
The proposed property tax increase is 3.13 per cent - 2.13 per cent, or about $29 for an average Pitt Meadows home for operating costs, plus another one per cent for capital reserves, which are like savings for big projects.
Just over $12 million is proposed for the 2013 capital budget, half of which relates to the upgrade and replacement of the City's drainage system.
"Pitt Meadows, like most growing communities, continues to have a challenge with escalating service demands while trying to ensure there is sufficient funding to replace and maintain aging drainage, water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure," said Mayor Deb Walters.
"To work towards this, for 2013 many expenditures in the proposed operating budget have been held or reduced from the 2012 levels to focus on infrastructure funding without undue taxpayer impact."
Residents are invited to participate in a budget open house on Dec. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Complete schedules and business plans are available on the City's website www.pittmeadows.bc.ca/budget2013 and at City hall.
