Delta homeowners can expect to see their municipal tax bill rise by 6.75 increase next year after city council approved the city's 2025 financial plan on Monday night (Dec. 2).
The increase includes 4.75 per cent for city services and another 2.0 per cent for a recreation capital investment levy. That works out to a hike of $195 a year on the average Delta home, or $16 per month, according to a budget presentation from City of Delta staff.
Utility rates are also set to rise, with the flat rate for water up 11.5 per cent ($6 per month); sewer up 35 per cent ($14 per month) and solid waste by 4.7 per cent ($1 per month).
A city staff report says city council has worked hard with staff to create a budget that maintains a high level of city services and continues with the city's commitment to increase its capital investment in recreation, while recognizing the impact the current economic climate and inflation have had on residents, families and businesses.
The budget follows a public consultation process and two open council budget workshops, with the city hearing from nearly 1,000 residents in the process.
The city's 2025 financial plan totals $552 million: $257.4 million for general operating funds, $66.8 million for utilities operating funds, and $228.1 million for capital spending.
The operating expenses include $103.2 million for protective services (police, fire and emergency services), $66.9 million for general government (including administration, finance and other general services), $30.3 million for parks, recreation and culture, $28.7 million for engineering, $1.5 million for facilities and major projects, $9.1 million for development and $4.7 million for the regional library.
The capital plan totals $153.1 million, with the biggest chunks for civic buildings, at $68.6 million; engineering (roads, drainage, irrigation, utility infrastructure) at $58 million; and parks, recreation and culture at $17.3 million. (See chart above.)
Capital project highlights include the Winskill Aquatic and Fitness Centre rebuild, Ladner waterfront revitalization, field upgrades at Seaquam and South Delta Secondary, and upgrades at Annieville Park and Cromie Park, among others.
Councillors lauded staff for the public engagement process and for the resulting budget.
”I think we’ve had to strike a balance between on the one hand delivering reliable services but also managing costs effectively," said Coun. Dylan Kruger. “I think our priority has to be on the basics: that’s ensuring safe neighbourhoods, maintaining clean streets and providing high-quality parks and recreation services.
“I think this budget achieves that while also planning for the future.”
Kruger, however, raised a cautionary note, saying the city has to continue to keep an eye on managing costs and keep operational budget increases in check.
Coun. Rod Binder noted all municipalities are facing increasing financial pressures and said the fact that Delta has a budget that will deliver on all its services within the 6.75 per cent increase is a credit to city staff.
Coun. Daniel Boisvert said the budget does a good job of coping with the housing targets that the provincial government has "saddled" Delta with.
"I think staff have really rallied around that and understand that, with this housing, there is desperate infastructure that needs to be able to support that, and that’s certainly something we hear time and time again from residents.”
Boisvert cited the number of infrastructure needs addressed in the budget, including sewer and water upgrades, dog parks and the new aquatic centre in Tsawwassen —"all these things that we need to responsibly grow the city."
Mayor George Harvie said the budget also addresses the city's public safety needs.
"This budget also ensures that our protective services, fire and police, are fully staffed and have actually additional staff and additional improvements as requested," he said.
“It’s extremely important that we keep our 'no call too small' with our police department. We’re known for that; it is a big part of our community public safety."
The city's tax rate bylaw will be officially adopted in April or May, 2025.
