Pitt Meadows endorses 7.79% tax hike for 2024 budget

Pitt Meadows homeowners can expect a noticeable tax increase next year.

On Dec. 11, Pitt Meadows council endorsed a $53.9 million budget for 2024 that will cover the costs of  Fire and Rescue investments, new recreation facilities, and climate-related actions among other areas. 

But next year’s budget is going to raise property taxes and utility fees for the average single family home by a combined $469, or 7.79 per cent. Property taxes are expected to rise by $205, while utilities are predicted to go up by $264.

Before the recent tax increase, the average single family homeowner in Pitt Meadows paid $5637.58 in property taxes and utilities in 2023, according to figures from a Nov. 27 council meeting.

The tax increase is mainly due to uncontrollable costs, said Laura Barroetavena, the city’s director of finance. 

Of the $469 in the tax hike, $217 is a result of water purchases and sewage treatment costs by Metro Vancouver. Homeowners are also on the hook for about $139 related to contracted services from the RCMP and public library, and salaries and benefits from CUPE and IAFF Collective Bargaining. 

The taxes were also slightly raised due the city’s decision to hire four new flex firefighters for the Pitt Meadows Fire Service team.  

Mayor Nicole MacDonald applauded city staff for finalizing the budget and attempting to reduce tax increases for residents.

“I think this leads to a very livable [community] and the longevity of a great Pitt Meadows,” MacDonald stated. 

Couns. Mike Hayes and Mike Manion were the only two councillors to vote against the budget. 

Recreation projects

Pitt Meadows is using its reserve funds, and seeking the possibility of various grants, to fund many of the projects outlined in the capital plan, which is valued at $26.4 million. 

Nearly $19 million of the capital plan budget is slated to go towards two projects: a new double artificial turf ($10.6 million) and a covered multi-sport box ($8.1 million) at the Pitt Meadows Athletic Park. 

The city is also looking to improve lighting and grandstands at the park, MacDonald said. 

Hopefully, she added, the new turf will provide a permanent home to sports that have previously been neglected, such as field lacrosse. The covered box, meanwhile, may alleviate the backlog for increasingly popular sports at the city’s indoor facilities. 

“We are hearing a ton, whether it’s from senior’s groups, our pickleball groups, youth associations, they need more indoor space,” MacDonald stated.  

MacDonald also hinted that the city is not looking to expand the Pitt Meadows Arena any time soon. 

“For a small community, we have three ice sheets. But by facilitating this and moving some of those box lacrosse [events] and other things like that, there’s potential to free up arena space,” she stated. 

The new turfs and covered box are expected to be complete by 2026. 

When both facilities are up and running, the city is going to raise taxes by about $9 for the average single family home, Barroetavena added.

Climate change impacts 

During the city’s review of its agricultural plan, one of the biggest concerns from the local farming community was the need for a reliable water source for irrigation, Barroetavena said. 

Pitt Meadows council endorsed a $300,000 multi-year plan to develop an irrigation study to resolve that issue for farmers. The plan, which will build on previous drainage assessments, is expected to be funded by a reserve and provincial grant. It’s not expected to have an impact on taxpayers. 

Coun. Manion praised the plan, saying it’s vitally important for farmers who are battling climate change impacts. 

“This study is critical for the future success of agriculture in Pitt Meadows,” Manion stated. “As climate change continues to impact the weather patterns, we have to do everything we can to ensure an adequate supply of water is available to farmers.”  

Pitt Meadows council also allocated $150,000 in the capital project fund to develop a climate action plan. 

The project is also expected to be backed by a provincial grant.  

Moving forward

Over the next five years, Barroetavena said the city estimates the property tax increase will be anywhere between $145 and $182. 

But those raises will be dependent on the rate of inflation, replacement projects in the city, and results from the irrigation and fire services risk assessments among other factors. 

If you are looking for more information on the city’s 2024 budget, you can read Pitt Meadows’ press release on the tax hikes and new initiatives here.