Delta homeowners can expect to see an increase in both property taxes and utility rates next year.
On Monday night, civic politicians gave preliminary approval to a 1.9 per cent property tax increase as well as a $30 increase to utility rates.
The 1.9 per cent hike will amount to an extra $40 on Delta's portion of the property bill for a house assessed at $567,000, said civic finance director Karl Preuss.
The property tax increase includes .7 per cent to maintain general municipal services, .7 per cent for a neighbourhood road improvement program and .5 per cent for an increase in police staffing levels. The police department is planning to add five fulltime positions next year - three officers and two civilians.
Preuss said the tax increase is also needed to cover higher costs, such as hydro charges and insurance premiums. He said the increase in hydro charges is estimated to cost Delta $200,000. The $30 hike will bring the 2014 utility bill to $960, which Preuss said is still on the low end of the scale when compared to other municipalities in the region.
In terms of proposed 2014 utility rates, Delta comes in lower than Coquitlam ($1,092), the District of North Vancouver ($1,473), New Westminster ($1,216), Port Moody ($990) and Richmond ($1,248).
Municipal hall has also stated Delta's proposed property tax increase is below other Metro Vancouver municipalities. White Rock and Maple Ridge have proposed increases of 3.25 per cent, while Surrey, Richmond, Pitt Meadows and the Township of Langley all have hikes of more than 2.5 per cent.
Flat rate utility bills will be mailed out at the end of February and payment is due by March 31. Property tax bills typically go out in May and payment is due in early July.
