City of Vancouver proposing 3.4% property tax increase

The City of Vancouver is proposing to raiseproperty taxes and services fees to cover a $55-million increase in its operating budget.

The$1.32-billiondraft 2017 budget was released late Wednesday afternoon. It includes a 3.4 per cent property tax increase and other increases for utility, recreation and permit fees.

The city says the increases will go towards greater costs for existing services that are in line with inflationand new expenditures in other areas like social housing, securityand the arts.

According to the city, the property and utility fee increases will amount to an extra$49 in costs for a median homeowner in Vancouver.

But opposing Coun. George Afflecksays the rate increases shouldn't outpaceinflation, which is currently at under two per cent.

"That's outrageous," Afleck said. "It's becoming more expensive to live in the city because of Vision Vancouver."

Afflect saysin the past 10 years the city budget has increased by $300 millionor by 30 per cent, but the population has only increased by nineper cent.

"It doesn't add up," he said.

According to the city, Vancouver has had one of the lowest average property tax increases in the Lower Mainland.

The budget says the city expects to take in an extra $32.3 million in property tax revenues andan additional $16.8 million in service fee income in2017.

The increase in property tax follows anaverage 17per cent increase in property assessment valuesfor Vancouver homesthis year.

The City of Vancouver did not respond to requests for comment.