City Budget 2024

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Consultation has concluded

Project Update, March 2024: The 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw was adopted by New Westminster City Council on March 11, 2024.

At its regular meeting on February 26, 2024, City Council gave three readings of the 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw. Click here to access the Council report and recording of the meeting.


Project Update, February 6, 2024: The Draft 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan has been prepared, and members of the public are invited to provide comments before the Bylaw comes forward to Council for decision-making. Scroll down or click here to provide your comments through this page. You can also submit written comments by email to nwfinance@newwestcity.ca or by regular mail.

The deadline for comments is 6:00 pm on February 16. All written feedback will be presented to Council and published. Click here to review the Draft 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan, and click here to watch the most recent presentation to Council (January 22, 2024) about the 2024 Budget development process.


Project Update, January 25, 2024: Following a series of six budget workshops, Council has directed City staff to prepare the 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan and Bylaw based on a 2024 Capital Budget of $151.9 million and a 2024 Operating Budget of $272.8 million. Included in the total Operating Budget, Council has endorsed $23.7 million in service enhancements in 2024.

The 2024 Budget plans will result in an estimated property tax increase of 7.7%. As well, utility rates are expected to rise by 6.0% overall, consisting of the following utility-specific increases:

  • Electric rate increase of 3.3%
  • Water rate increase of 6.0%
  • Sewer rate increase of 8.0%
  • Solid waste increase of 12.0%

The proposed 2024 Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan will be presented to City Council on February 5, 2024. A public comment period will follow from February 6-16, 2024. Check back on this page starting February 6 to provide your comments for Council.

The 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan and Bylaw will come to Council for three readings on February 26, 2024, followed by adoption of the budget at the March 11 Council meeting.


Project Update, November 2023: A series of budget workshops with City Council is underway, and members of the community are invited to attend and/or watch the recordings of these meetings. The schedule and topics of each workshop are listed below, and links to the meeting recordings will be added here following each session.

  1. October 16: Capital Budget
  2. November 20: Council Strategic Priorities Implementation and Revenue Projections
  3. November 27: Utility Rate Projections for 2024 (Electrical, Water, Sewer, Solid Waste)
  4. December 11: Operating Budget, with options and proposed tax rates
  5. January 8, 2024: Capital Budget refinements
  6. January 22: Operating Budget refinements

There will be an opportunity for public comments on the draft 2024 City Budget before Council's final decision-making process. More info to come.


Project Update - August 31, 2023: The What We Heard Engagement Summary Report is now available! Click here to read the full report about the engagement process and a summary of the input received through targeted workshops with under-represented groups, as well as the community-wide survey.

Staff presented highlights from the results to City Council at its August 28 meeting. Click here to review the presentation slides, and here to access the Council report and recording from the meeting.

In addition to the What We Heard Engagement Summary Report, you can review the detailed workshop notes here and the verbatim written comments from the survey here.


Project Update - July 11, 2023: A big thank you to everyone who took the time to share feedback on the 2024 City Budget! We heard from 470 community members on their priorities for how the City should spend its money. Online public engagement has now concluded. Over the next few weeks, staff are continuing with targeted outreach to specific groups in New West, like renters and newcomers. Results from all these engagement activities will be shared back here later this summer. In the meantime, check out a few highlights of the survey results below.

Also, remember to keep an eye on your email as we contact the three winners of the prize draw!


City budgets are an important part of serving a diverse community, providing critical infrastructure like drinking water, sewers, and sidewalks, and delivering a wide range of public services such as public safety, libraries, parks, waste collection, and many more. The City of New Westminster is starting the process to develop its financial plan for 2024 to 2028, which includes the capital and operating budgets for 2024.

As we started the annual budget cycle, we asked for the community’s input on some key questions from City Council and staff. We wanted to know about your priorities for future capital spending, your level of support for Council's new strategic priorities and the City's financial sustainability principles, and your preferences for property tax rates as they relate to service levels.

Community input is one of several factors that inform the development of the City's annual budget. Engagement has now concluded. A survey and discussion forum were open June 2 through July 10, 2023.

Is budget engagement just for property owners?

No! How money is allocated impacts City service levels, what infrastructure projects move forward, and other decisions that can impact all New West residents. Are you a renter? This still applies to you! The rent you pay contributes to the property taxes for your residence.

What's the City's financial outlook for 2024?

Key factors for the 2024 City Budget in particular include aligning the City’s work plans with Council’s new strategic priorities, the ongoing rise in inflation, increased population, and new staff and other resources that will be needed to operate the new təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre (which is set to open in 2024). Another key budget driver includes third-party funding like the Provincial support from the Growing Communities Fund and opportunities for other grants.

How can I learn more about the City budget process and how it impacts me?

Click here to explore some FAQs, and check out our new budget infographic here. It includes key information about the City's current budget, and what your tax dollars pay for.

Find more detailed financial information in the City's 2023-2027 Financial Plan, and click here for a summary presentation.

Learn more about how the City's finances work, the differences between operating and capital budgets, property taxes, etc. Check out our Budget 101 webinar from 2021!

Project Update, March 2024: The 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw was adopted by New Westminster City Council on March 11, 2024.

At its regular meeting on February 26, 2024, City Council gave three readings of the 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw. Click here to access the Council report and recording of the meeting.


Project Update, February 6, 2024: The Draft 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan has been prepared, and members of the public are invited to provide comments before the Bylaw comes forward to Council for decision-making. Scroll down or click here to provide your comments through this page. You can also submit written comments by email to nwfinance@newwestcity.ca or by regular mail.

The deadline for comments is 6:00 pm on February 16. All written feedback will be presented to Council and published. Click here to review the Draft 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan, and click here to watch the most recent presentation to Council (January 22, 2024) about the 2024 Budget development process.


Project Update, January 25, 2024: Following a series of six budget workshops, Council has directed City staff to prepare the 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan and Bylaw based on a 2024 Capital Budget of $151.9 million and a 2024 Operating Budget of $272.8 million. Included in the total Operating Budget, Council has endorsed $23.7 million in service enhancements in 2024.

The 2024 Budget plans will result in an estimated property tax increase of 7.7%. As well, utility rates are expected to rise by 6.0% overall, consisting of the following utility-specific increases:

  • Electric rate increase of 3.3%
  • Water rate increase of 6.0%
  • Sewer rate increase of 8.0%
  • Solid waste increase of 12.0%

The proposed 2024 Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan will be presented to City Council on February 5, 2024. A public comment period will follow from February 6-16, 2024. Check back on this page starting February 6 to provide your comments for Council.

The 2024-2028 Five-Year Financial Plan and Bylaw will come to Council for three readings on February 26, 2024, followed by adoption of the budget at the March 11 Council meeting.


Project Update, November 2023: A series of budget workshops with City Council is underway, and members of the community are invited to attend and/or watch the recordings of these meetings. The schedule and topics of each workshop are listed below, and links to the meeting recordings will be added here following each session.

  1. October 16: Capital Budget
  2. November 20: Council Strategic Priorities Implementation and Revenue Projections
  3. November 27: Utility Rate Projections for 2024 (Electrical, Water, Sewer, Solid Waste)
  4. December 11: Operating Budget, with options and proposed tax rates
  5. January 8, 2024: Capital Budget refinements
  6. January 22: Operating Budget refinements

There will be an opportunity for public comments on the draft 2024 City Budget before Council's final decision-making process. More info to come.


Project Update - August 31, 2023: The What We Heard Engagement Summary Report is now available! Click here to read the full report about the engagement process and a summary of the input received through targeted workshops with under-represented groups, as well as the community-wide survey.

Staff presented highlights from the results to City Council at its August 28 meeting. Click here to review the presentation slides, and here to access the Council report and recording from the meeting.

In addition to the What We Heard Engagement Summary Report, you can review the detailed workshop notes here and the verbatim written comments from the survey here.


Project Update - July 11, 2023: A big thank you to everyone who took the time to share feedback on the 2024 City Budget! We heard from 470 community members on their priorities for how the City should spend its money. Online public engagement has now concluded. Over the next few weeks, staff are continuing with targeted outreach to specific groups in New West, like renters and newcomers. Results from all these engagement activities will be shared back here later this summer. In the meantime, check out a few highlights of the survey results below.

Also, remember to keep an eye on your email as we contact the three winners of the prize draw!


City budgets are an important part of serving a diverse community, providing critical infrastructure like drinking water, sewers, and sidewalks, and delivering a wide range of public services such as public safety, libraries, parks, waste collection, and many more. The City of New Westminster is starting the process to develop its financial plan for 2024 to 2028, which includes the capital and operating budgets for 2024.

As we started the annual budget cycle, we asked for the community’s input on some key questions from City Council and staff. We wanted to know about your priorities for future capital spending, your level of support for Council's new strategic priorities and the City's financial sustainability principles, and your preferences for property tax rates as they relate to service levels.

Community input is one of several factors that inform the development of the City's annual budget. Engagement has now concluded. A survey and discussion forum were open June 2 through July 10, 2023.

Is budget engagement just for property owners?

No! How money is allocated impacts City service levels, what infrastructure projects move forward, and other decisions that can impact all New West residents. Are you a renter? This still applies to you! The rent you pay contributes to the property taxes for your residence.

What's the City's financial outlook for 2024?

Key factors for the 2024 City Budget in particular include aligning the City’s work plans with Council’s new strategic priorities, the ongoing rise in inflation, increased population, and new staff and other resources that will be needed to operate the new təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre (which is set to open in 2024). Another key budget driver includes third-party funding like the Provincial support from the Growing Communities Fund and opportunities for other grants.

How can I learn more about the City budget process and how it impacts me?

Click here to explore some FAQs, and check out our new budget infographic here. It includes key information about the City's current budget, and what your tax dollars pay for.

Find more detailed financial information in the City's 2023-2027 Financial Plan, and click here for a summary presentation.

Learn more about how the City's finances work, the differences between operating and capital budgets, property taxes, etc. Check out our Budget 101 webinar from 2021!

Consultation has concluded

Check out our FAQ! We may have already addressed your question. 

Do you have questions about the City's annual budget process? Enter a question here, and we'll aim to respond within 5 business days. If we think your question may be of interest to others, we'll post your question and our response here. 

Thanks for taking the time to ask questions!

  • Share There are land assembly realtor signs on all the houses along Sangster Place, which indicate the parcels have been sold. I have been checking the projects page regularly, but haven't seen this one come up yet. What is the process for land assembly parcels in which it appears the sellers have accepted a developer offer? At what point does it enter the public consultation phase or become searchable as far as the permitting process? on Facebook Share There are land assembly realtor signs on all the houses along Sangster Place, which indicate the parcels have been sold. I have been checking the projects page regularly, but haven't seen this one come up yet. What is the process for land assembly parcels in which it appears the sellers have accepted a developer offer? At what point does it enter the public consultation phase or become searchable as far as the permitting process? on Twitter Share There are land assembly realtor signs on all the houses along Sangster Place, which indicate the parcels have been sold. I have been checking the projects page regularly, but haven't seen this one come up yet. What is the process for land assembly parcels in which it appears the sellers have accepted a developer offer? At what point does it enter the public consultation phase or become searchable as far as the permitting process? on Linkedin Email There are land assembly realtor signs on all the houses along Sangster Place, which indicate the parcels have been sold. I have been checking the projects page regularly, but haven't seen this one come up yet. What is the process for land assembly parcels in which it appears the sellers have accepted a developer offer? At what point does it enter the public consultation phase or become searchable as far as the permitting process? link

    There are land assembly realtor signs on all the houses along Sangster Place, which indicate the parcels have been sold. I have been checking the projects page regularly, but haven't seen this one come up yet. What is the process for land assembly parcels in which it appears the sellers have accepted a developer offer? At what point does it enter the public consultation phase or become searchable as far as the permitting process?

    sbm12 asked over 1 year ago

     

    Hello,

    Thank you for your interest and for reaching out.

    A Pre-Application Review was completed for the sites at 807-823 Sangster Place and 39 East Eighth Avenue and a report was provided to the Land Use and Planning Committee on May 30, 2022. In order for the City to further consider the development proposed in the report – two six-storey multi-unit residential buildings with a mix of market condo and market rental units – applications for Rezoning and an amendment to the Official Community Plan would be required from the applicant. Once the City has received these applications, a preliminary report on the proposal would be forwarded to Council outlining the anticipated application review process. Following this report, information on the proposal and information on opportunities to engage would be made available on Be Heard New West.

  • Share When can we expect tangible change to the remaining train crossings across Brunette, Braid, and other crossings? The noise of train horns aggravates both long term residents and all newcomers to the city, many of whom are looking to escape noise. Let alone the poor and likely deceived new residents of the numerous developments built and being built in the Sapperton area. on Facebook Share When can we expect tangible change to the remaining train crossings across Brunette, Braid, and other crossings? The noise of train horns aggravates both long term residents and all newcomers to the city, many of whom are looking to escape noise. Let alone the poor and likely deceived new residents of the numerous developments built and being built in the Sapperton area. on Twitter Share When can we expect tangible change to the remaining train crossings across Brunette, Braid, and other crossings? The noise of train horns aggravates both long term residents and all newcomers to the city, many of whom are looking to escape noise. Let alone the poor and likely deceived new residents of the numerous developments built and being built in the Sapperton area. on Linkedin Email When can we expect tangible change to the remaining train crossings across Brunette, Braid, and other crossings? The noise of train horns aggravates both long term residents and all newcomers to the city, many of whom are looking to escape noise. Let alone the poor and likely deceived new residents of the numerous developments built and being built in the Sapperton area. link

    When can we expect tangible change to the remaining train crossings across Brunette, Braid, and other crossings? The noise of train horns aggravates both long term residents and all newcomers to the city, many of whom are looking to escape noise. Let alone the poor and likely deceived new residents of the numerous developments built and being built in the Sapperton area.

    SmokyBenito asked over 1 year ago

    Hello and thanks for your question. The City is working towards a long-term goal of whistle cessation at all public rail crossings in New Westminster; however, this is an intricate and lengthy process involving multiple rail companies and various government agencies. Train whistling at public-grade crossings is a legal requirement for train operators under the Canadian Rail Operating Rules.

    City staff are providing regular updates to Council on this work. The most recent report is available here, and the next report is expected on September 25. You can also follow updates on this page on the City’s website (including links to the Council update reports). 

    The Braid Street crossings are considered highly complex and there is currently no estimate for when whistle cessation may be possible. More information will be shared when it’s available. 

  • Share What is happening with the Queensborough train crossing cessation?? There was an update June 2023 but there is no change or plan it seems for the #1 Derwent/Salter crossing. Please prioritize this is your tax payers sleep and I for 1 and others I know are fed up and ready to move to a city that cares. on Facebook Share What is happening with the Queensborough train crossing cessation?? There was an update June 2023 but there is no change or plan it seems for the #1 Derwent/Salter crossing. Please prioritize this is your tax payers sleep and I for 1 and others I know are fed up and ready to move to a city that cares. on Twitter Share What is happening with the Queensborough train crossing cessation?? There was an update June 2023 but there is no change or plan it seems for the #1 Derwent/Salter crossing. Please prioritize this is your tax payers sleep and I for 1 and others I know are fed up and ready to move to a city that cares. on Linkedin Email What is happening with the Queensborough train crossing cessation?? There was an update June 2023 but there is no change or plan it seems for the #1 Derwent/Salter crossing. Please prioritize this is your tax payers sleep and I for 1 and others I know are fed up and ready to move to a city that cares. link

    What is happening with the Queensborough train crossing cessation?? There was an update June 2023 but there is no change or plan it seems for the #1 Derwent/Salter crossing. Please prioritize this is your tax payers sleep and I for 1 and others I know are fed up and ready to move to a city that cares.

    Jen Dl asked over 1 year ago

    Hello, and thanks for your question. The City is working towards a long-term goal of whistle cessation at all public rail crossings in New Westminster; however, this is an intricate and lengthy process involving multiple rail companies and various government agencies. Train whistling at public grade crossings is a legal requirement for train operators under the Canadian Rail Operating Rules.

    As you’ve noted, City staff are providing regular updates to Council on this work. The most recent report is available here, and the next report is expected on September 25. You can also follow updates on this page on the City’s website (including links to the Council update reports). 

    One of the crossings in Queensborough – Furness Street at Duncan Street – has undergone safety upgrades and whistle cessation is estimated to be achieved by the end of 2023. 

    However, other crossings in Queensborough, including the Salter Street at Derwent Way crossing you mentioned, are considered highly complex and there is currently no estimate for when whistle cessation may be possible. In order to be eligible for whistle cessation, this crossing will require major improvement work. Further analysis is required, and road re-alignment may be needed. More information will be shared when it’s available. 

  • Share Are there any plans to add businesses to 12th street? Recently purchased a condo and on twelfth street and although the street has changed and cleaned up a bit, just wondering if there’s anything in the works? Thanks! on Facebook Share Are there any plans to add businesses to 12th street? Recently purchased a condo and on twelfth street and although the street has changed and cleaned up a bit, just wondering if there’s anything in the works? Thanks! on Twitter Share Are there any plans to add businesses to 12th street? Recently purchased a condo and on twelfth street and although the street has changed and cleaned up a bit, just wondering if there’s anything in the works? Thanks! on Linkedin Email Are there any plans to add businesses to 12th street? Recently purchased a condo and on twelfth street and although the street has changed and cleaned up a bit, just wondering if there’s anything in the works? Thanks! link

    Are there any plans to add businesses to 12th street? Recently purchased a condo and on twelfth street and although the street has changed and cleaned up a bit, just wondering if there’s anything in the works? Thanks!

    Brytan asked almost 2 years ago

    Hello and thank you for your question. 

    Twelfth Street is a unique commercial area and home to a mix of independent specialty foods, unique restaurants, and retailers. While the City itself doesn’t control individual businesses that choose to locate in this street’s commercial buildings, the City does work to create an environment where businesses can flourish with nearby residents and potential patrons, attractive public spaces, regulations that are fair and easy to follow, etc. 

    To support our local businesses, the City has been working on a city-wide Retail Strategy, which is now in the final stages. This strategy includes specific recommendations and actions for retail areas across the city, including Twelfth Street. Please visit the Retail Strategy page on this website (Be Heard New West) for more information.