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City of Maple Ridge asks for public opinions about 6.5 per cent property tax increase

Budget for 2024 calls for 16 more firefighters, 12 new RCMP officers
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City hall is asking the public for input about the 6.5 per cent property tax increase. (The News Files)

The City of Maple Ridge is offering the public another round of feedback, now that council has set a budget that calls for a property tax increase of 6.5 per cent.

The city will have a $160 million operating budget for 2024, with funds used to maintain core municipal services, while also hiring an additional 12 RCMP officers, and 16 firefighters.

“Maple Ridge is growing at a tremendous rate and this proposed budget is making significant investments in public safety, economic diversification and meeting housing needs – priorities our residents told us are important to them,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy.

“As a council, we’re taking bold steps to deliver on what our community needs to move forward while balancing affordability. I encourage residents to take the time to learn more about what’s planned for 2024 and to share your thoughts with us.”

The public can have its say on the 2024 budget and the 2024-2028 financial plan online, in a survey that will be available until March 22 on engage.mapleridge.ca

Public comments or questions about city finances can also be submitted at any time of the year at budget@mapleridge.ca or 604-467-7484 (voicemail).

The tax increase will result in the average property tax bill rising by $150, for a property with an assessed value of $986,000, according to city hall.

The 12 new police officers will not be on duty for approximately 18 months after they are requested from the RCMP, Supintendent Wendy Mehat told council. She said these hires were required due to the de-integration of the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment, as the City of Pitt Meadows is starting its own detachment. Some 23 officers from Ridge Meadows will go to Pitt Meadows.

The budget also contains new funds for the hiring of four positions in the planning department.

There are also a variety of capital expenditures totalling $112 million this year. These projects include:

  • Widening Abernethy Way to four lanes with a multi-use path between 224 and 230 Streets.
  • Continue the process to plan, design and deliver a new recreation facility.
  • Rehabilitating 128 Avenue between 232 and 235A Streets.
  • Planning a second access to Silver Valley, a 240 Street bridge and multi-use path.
  • Increasing capacity of Lower Hammond Drainage Pump Station to improve flood protection.
  • Adding multi-use paths on Thorne Avenue.
  • Upgrading Port Haney Waterfront Park and Maple Ridge Park.
  • Paving 12 kms of two-lane roads.
  • Improving technology to enhance efficiency, cybersecurity and service-delivery.

The bylaws for the financial plan and tax rates are scheduled to be back before city council in April.

More information about the city budget is available online at mapleridge.ca

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Neil Corbett

About the Author: Neil Corbett

I have been a journalist for more than 30 years, the past decade with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News.
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