Maple Ridge approves 3.5% tax hike in split vote as infrastructure funding debate divides council

Maple Ridge council has approved third reading of its 2026 budget, though it was deeply divided over cuts to infrastructure funding.

While the financial bylaw advanced by a 4-2 vote on April 28, councillors were split over the decision to pause contributions to the city’s infrastructure sustainability reserve in order to keep taxes lower in the short term.

Coun. Jenny Tan, who voted against the plan, described the move as “deeply disappointing.”

“This is eating the marshmallow right now,” she said. “It’s so easy to have this narrative where we’re going to keep our taxes low and not invest, and we are making the same mistake that we criticize other politicians for.”

The five-year plan sets out a 3.5 percent tax increase in 2026 – equating to about $101 more for the average home valued at $1.04 million – and projects annual increases of 4.5 percent through 2030. Combined with previously approved water and sewer rate hikes, the total increase for a typical household is expected to be about $181 this year, or 4.1 per cent.

City staff said the increase was kept relatively low – among the lowest in the region – by identifying more than $4.6 million in savings through program reviews, efficiencies and cost adjustments.

The plan also includes a $431.98-million capital program advancing nearly 140 projects, with $115.6 million earmarked for 2026 to address transportation, infrastructure renewal, public safety and recreation access.

But the decision to reduce contributions to long-term infrastructure funding drew sharp criticism from some members of council.

Coun. Sunny Schiller, who also opposed the bylaw, called the move to pause contributions an “easy thing to push” that may go unnoticed now but creates risk over time.

“No one notices the difference this year, but that doesn’t make it right,” she said. “Maintaining infrastructure is one of the most important uses for tax dollars that our residents have identified.”

Tan said the the city continues to fall short of what is needed to maintain existing infrastructure, pointing to estimates that Maple Ridge requires roughly $30 million annually for asset renewal, compared to about $10 million currently flowing through the reserve.

She also noted that the sitting council has not hit its contribution targets to the reserve for the entirety of its term, adding the decision prioritizes short-term affordability over long-term value.

“In 2022 we increased the fund by zero percent … We consistently underfund one of the key things that our residents ask us to do,” Tan said. “In an election year, we are, once again, kicking the can down the road.”

Other councillors acknowledged the concern, but said the decision reflects current economic realities and strong public pressure to keep taxes down.

Coun. Korleen Carreras said staff efforts to find savings significantly reduced what would otherwise have been a higher increase, adding that some of the investments being made now are expected to generate future cost reductions.

The affordability piece is significant for people, and we have heard that time and time and again,” she said. “We have made significant investments in infrastructure over the last three and a half years. So we haven’t been skirting this issue.”

Coun. Judy Dueck said council must balance infrastructure obligations with affordability concerns raised by residents.

She also said that the city needs a clearer policy on how infrastructure reserve funds are used in the future, with guidelines that would help council consistently justify future contributions to taxpayers and avoid year-to-year uncertainty in how the fund is applied.

Carreras agreed, stating that work needs to be done on the policy, especially with major upcoming projects.

“If we’re going to go and ask the residents for the money, we need to be able to tell them what we’re using it for,” she said. “Asking residents to pay an extra one percent, but that we don’t really know what we are doing with it, that was a hard sell for me.”

Mayor Dan Ruimy defended the budget as a measured approach that keeps the city moving forward while recognizing financial pressures facing residents.

He said delivering a budget with a 3.5 percent increase still allows the city to maintain its strategic priorities, and pointed to ongoing investments in transportation, public safety and major recreation projects.

“All we can do is make the best choices that we have,” Ruimy said. “I am not one that likes to play political games. Sure, we are in an election year, but that’s not what defines my actions and my behaviours.”

Coun. Onyeka Dozie echoed that sentiment, arguing that even incremental progress is preferable to inaction.

“An inch forward is still better than standing at one spot,” he said. “You cannot move forward without a price.”

The financial plan follows several months of public engagement, including surveys and in-person events.

Staff reported that 61 percent of respondents felt the budget reflected their priorities at least somewhat, with affordability, public safety and infrastructure investment emerging as key themes.

Final adoption of the bylaw will occur on May 12. Municipalities are required to adopt their annual financial plans by May 15 under provincial legislation.

[CORRECTION: The original version of this article stated that council had adopted its 2026 budget, when in fact it had approved third reading, the final opportunity to make changes before adoption.]