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City staff say they are examining policing costs, transit operations, provincial downloading, and service levels as they work to reduce a projected double-digit tax increase for 2026.
During a brief budget update Tuesday, David Hallinan, director of corporate services, said staff have met with the RCMP to review cost drivers and will meet with BC Transit to understand changes to its operating model. Transit expansion is not part of the current review, but Hallinan said rising operating and administrative costs need clarification.
Staff have also reopened a two-year-old report on provincial downloading to assess new responsibilities the city has absorbed. “We’re looking at what we are picking up the tab for now that we had not originally anticipated,” Hallinan said.
Budget pressure increased further with FortisBC’s announcement Tuesday of an 11% natural gas rate hike for next year — a significant issue for civic facilities such as pools and large buildings.
Hallinan confirmed the city is reviewing service levels, but stressed the work is preliminary and not necessarily indicative of future cuts. Most of the detailed analysis will be presented to council in closed meetings before any public discussions or consultations.
Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson briefly raised the city’s SOFI compensation disclosure report, but Hallinan noted employment-related matters remain confidential and are addressed in closed session.
In response to a question from Councillor Nancy Bepple, Hallinan said decisions around accepting or declining additional transit hours will not change the Official Community Plan, which needs to account for long-term growth and transit needs.
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