Vancouver trying to hold property-tax increase to 2%

By Frank Luba, The ProvinceNovember 18, 2009

There will be more fees and less services in Vancouver if council goes along with the recommendations that city manager Penny Ballem presented Tuesday in her update on the 2010 budget. Despite the cuts, there's a shortfall of $11 million and because the city can't run a deficit, property taxes will have to go up two per cent overall to make up the difference. Council will get a formal report Dec. 1 and hold a public hearing at a date yet to be determined. The final decision on how much will be cut -- or the unlikely option of taxes higher than two per cent -- will be made Dec. 15. "We're in a very difficult economic situation," Ballem told council. "Everyone is facing these problems."

Despite signs the economy is recovering, the future will see continuing cuts in Vancouver. "This continues through 2011," said Ballem. Mayor Gregor Robertson conceded "none of the cuts is pleasant." "I'm satisfied at this stage that staff have done an exhaustive job to spread the load to get to a very modest tax increase," he said. Eight public meetings have been held on the budget and a web survey on the city home page will continue through to Friday. The Vancouver parks board has already voted to increase fees at community centres and are considering closing the Stanley Park children's farmyard and the 40-year-old Bloedel Conservatory. Other possible cost-saving moves include:

- The Vancouver Police Department may not fill 35 vacancies.
- Riley Park Library may be closed sooner than planned because it's being replaced by a new facility.
- The Heritage Railway by Granville Island likely won't run and the city won't put up any street banners unless they're provided by somebody else.

- And there will also be job losses -- 158 full-time equivalent positions.