Prior to council setting the 2017 tax rates, the Corporation of Delta is seeking public feedback on its proposed 2017 financial plan, including the budget, funding priorities, municipal services and upcoming projects.
The proposed 2017 budget strategy calls for a property tax increase of 2.75 per cent, which will go towards maintaining city government service (0.5 per cent), police services (0.25 per cent), the city’s drainage program (0.5 per cent) and an emergency operations centre, fire hall and training facility at Boundary Bay Airport (1.5 per cent).
According a Corporation of Delta press release, all tax dollars collected will be going to services for the community as part of its commitment to no new borrowing and pay-as-you-go project funding.
Council adopted a pay-as-you-go debt management policy in 2002, and since then, has continued to renew the municipality’s infrastructure without incurring new debt. Delta’s general debt is expected to drop from a high of $44.7 million in 2000, down to $100,000 by the end of 2017. Assuming no new borrowing, general debt will be eliminated by the end of 2018.
This year, Delta will again be offering residents an opportunity to engage in the budget process through its citizen budget online engagement tool. Delta residents can simulate their own municipal budget by allocating tax dollars to their preferred funding categories and experience the decisions council faces when developing the annual budget.
Residents are asked to provide feedback on Delta’s 2017 financial plan by Jan. 20 either by visiting delta.citizenbudget.com, emailing finance@delta.ca, phoning 604-946-3230 or faxing 604-946-3962.