Delta is proposing a 2.75 per cent property tax hike this year, which works out to a $61 increase for the average home.
Mayor Lois Jackson made the announcement Monday during Delta council’s weekly meeting.
The increase, which only applies to the municipal portion of the tax bill, came about after council members and civic staff undertook a recent budgeting exercise to determine priorities for the year.
Last year, council approved a 3.5 per cent tax hike that translated into an increase of approximately $75 on the Delta portion of the property tax bill for the average house, which at the time was assessed at $650,000.
This time around, all three areas of Delta saw “typical” assessment increases in excess of 40 per cent. According to the finance department, the average home is now assessed at $932,000.
Homeowners whose assessments increased at a greater rate than the average could see a larger jump in their tax bills.
The tax increase will see 0.5 per cent directed to maintain city government services, 0.25 per cent for police services, 0.5 per cent for the drainage program and 1.5 per cent for a new emergency operations centre, fire hall and training facility at Boundary Bay Airport.
Delta is gathering feedback on the proposed financial plan until Friday. One way to submit input is at delta.citizenbudget.com.
