The average Delta home will see an increase of around $40 on this year's property tax bill.
Delta council gave conditional approval Monday night to a 1.9 per cent increase - 0.7 per cent for general municipal services, 0.7 per cent of road improvements and 0.55 per cent for police staffing.
In a report to civic politicians, finance director Karl Preuss said the average assessed value of a residential property in Delta came in at $561,000 this year, a one per cent decrease from last year's assessment of $567,000.
"For this single family residence, Delta taxes will increase by $40," he said, "$15 for general municipal services, $15 for neighbourhood road improvements and $10 for the police staffing plan."
The annual property tax bill also includes levies from other authorities, including the school district, Metro Vancouver, TransLink, B.C. Assessment and the Municipal Finance Authority. However, Preuss said, this year the taxes charged by those authorities are expected to remain the same, with a $2 increase in TransLink offset by decreases in other areas.
Chief administrative officer George Harvie told council that Delta is in good shape financially.
"Our financial health is extremely strong and stable," he said, citing the municipality's ability to cover the unexpected $3.8 million hit from the Ladner Leisure Centre façade failure earlier this year without having to increase taxes.
The municipality also continues to pay down its debt and has not incurred any new debt since 2003. By the end of 2014, Preuss said Delta's total debt would be down to $4.1 million.
Tax bills will be mailed out later this month and will be due in early July.
