Delta council gave preliminary approval Monday to a 3.5 per cent property tax increase for 2016.
In a presentation to council, municipal finance director Karl Preuss explained the increase will mean a $75 hike on the property tax bill for the average home in Delta that had an assessed value of $650,000 last year.
Preuss noted the increase is "in line" with other Metro Vancouver municipalities in that it's the the mid-range of those other increases.
Meanwhile, the utility bill, which covers water, sewer, solid waste and recycling services, will rise $18 this year to an even $1,000. Preuss said Delta still has one of the lowest flat rate utility fees for a single-family home in Metro Vancouver.
The 2016 metered water rates are proposed to increase at a similar extent as the flat water fees.
Preuss said when property tax and utility bills are combined, the average home will see an overall increase of $93, or three per cent more than 2015.
His report to council notes that in 2017 to 2020, property taxes are projected to increase by less than three per cent and flat utility fees for single-family homes are expected to rise by about $35 each year.
