Residents and councilors in Surrey are reacting to a weekend announcement from the municipality that most could face a big double-digit property tax hike this year.
The city says a large part of this is to help cover the cost of transitioning its police force, but councilors are asking for the budget to be postponed until the total cost is clearer.
“It’s because of all the problems that have come up over the last four years,” Mayor Brenda Locke said. “The cost overruns and delaying coming here.”
The City claims that although keeping the RCMP in Surrey is cheaper than continuing the Surrey Police Service, the transition has resulted in a deficit of $116 million so far.
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To compensate, the budget provides for a 9.5 percent increase in general property tax over the next three years. That means the average single-family household can expect to earn $219 more next year.
Combined with the already proposed 7 per cent property tax increase for inflation, city operations and the hiring of additional police officers, and an additional 1 per cent road and transport levy, the average Surrey home could see a 17.5 per cent increase in property tax.
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“This budget is based on what the Council decided to keep the RCMP as the police force in charge. If we chose the Surrey Police Service, that number would be significantly higher,” Locke said.
However, both the SPS and other Council members have refuted this.
“I called on someone independent of one of the organizations to do an audit and give us the real numbers,” said Linda Annis, First Councilor for Surrey.
“Work with everyone. Let’s all agree on the numbers before we proceed,” she added.
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Meanwhile, the province has asked for more time to make a final decision on whether the city will proceed with city policing or keep the Mounties.
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Without a definitive figure on the transitional price tag, some are calling for the budget to be released later.
“To move in this direction is irresponsible,” said Safe Surrey Coalition Councilor Doug Elford.
“We have until May 15 to make a decision. So there is still time.”
Instead, a public meeting will be held on March 6 to discuss the budget.
2:02 Property owners in Surrey could face a 55% increase in property tax if police crossing continues
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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