Local Vancouver City Council hikes property taxes, increases police budget On December 7, Vancouver City Council approved the City of Vancouver 2022 operating budget. The budget includes a 6.3% increase to property taxes, a portion of which is a climate action levy intended to fund items in the city’s Climate Action Plan, such as electric vehicle charging stations in private rental buildings and green retrofits for community centres and other city buildings. Unfortunately, the police budget was also significantly increased from $316 million in the 2021 budget to $341.5 million in the 2022 budget. $15.7 million of this was an automatic increase as a result of an arbitrated increase to salaries for VPD officers. Mayor Kennedy Stewart voted with the NPA, ex-NPA and Green city councillors to approve the remainder of the VPD’s budget increase. Council also approved a $3.1 million increase to the Vancouver Fire Rescue Service budget.
Property Tax Hike Yes! Police Budget Increase No!
Property Tax Hike Yes! Police Budget Increase…
Property Tax Hike Yes! Police Budget Increase No!
Local Vancouver City Council hikes property taxes, increases police budget On December 7, Vancouver City Council approved the City of Vancouver 2022 operating budget. The budget includes a 6.3% increase to property taxes, a portion of which is a climate action levy intended to fund items in the city’s Climate Action Plan, such as electric vehicle charging stations in private rental buildings and green retrofits for community centres and other city buildings. Unfortunately, the police budget was also significantly increased from $316 million in the 2021 budget to $341.5 million in the 2022 budget. $15.7 million of this was an automatic increase as a result of an arbitrated increase to salaries for VPD officers. Mayor Kennedy Stewart voted with the NPA, ex-NPA and Green city councillors to approve the remainder of the VPD’s budget increase. Council also approved a $3.1 million increase to the Vancouver Fire Rescue Service budget.