Vancouver council passes 2024 budget with 7.5% property tax hike

Vancouver city council has approved a 2024 budget with over $2 billion in spending and a 7.5 per cent property tax hike.

The main budget motion passed eight to three: Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC council slate voted in favour while the remaining councillors voted against.

While the budget didn't stray far from the draft brought forward by staff last month, there were a number of amendments put forward Tuesday that made slight adjustments to different departments — including the mayor's office.

"Let's be bold. Vancouver's a world-class city, let's act world class and let's land these deals," said Sim, in an amendment where he asked for an additional $100,000 to his personal office budget, and an additional $80,000 to the clerk's department to help support his office.

Sim said in his first year he attended many conferences — including South by Southwest — that resulted in the city getting contracts and events that wouldn't have happened otherwise, and said an increase to his budget would allow for more networking and travelling that would result in more economic benefits for the city.

"If we can't get the results, I will personally hold myself accountable," he said.

Sim's amendment also reduced the increase to the Vancouver Fire Rescue Service's 2024 draft budget by $1 million, from approximately $14 million to $13 million.

Sim and ABC councillors argued the delay in funding was permissible as the fire department said it would take time to make all their expected hires. Opposition councillors called it a needless cut from the draft budget.

"Our fire service is facing huge pressures ... it's appropriate to be fully funding each year as needed, and supporting our fire service in the huge increase in calls and mental health supports," Coun. Christine Boyle said.

Coun. Brian Montague's amendment to provide the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) with approximately $2 million more than city staff had recommended — but $4 million less than the VPD had requested — also was approved along party lines.

But there was one place where all councillors were in agreement — an amendment by Sarah Kirby-Yung to increase funding to the Vancouver Public Library by $180,000, allowing two branches to be open on Mondays next year.

"People really want to see the benefits of their taxes ... and I do know the importance of these front-line services," said Kirby-Yung.

"[Libraries] are places not just for people to take books or study, but they're community gatherings."

'We are on the right trajectory'

Ahead of the vote on the main budget motion — plus a number of smaller items set aside for individual votes — ABC councillors spoke of the need to balance funding vital services with affordability.

Sim said there was no getting around broader economic factors.

"We are in a highly inflationary environment. It is what it is," Sim said.

"In real terms... it is 27 cents per day for the average condo owner and 71 cents per day to the average homeowner. And you get an investment in a lot of things that were significantly underfunded for the last decade."

Kirby-Yung highlighted this tax increase is smaller than last year's.

"We need to continue to find ways to be effective with taxpayer dollars," she said. "So this is about continuing that work, but I do feel we are on the right trajectory."

More savings coming?

Sim expressed optimism the Mayor's Budget Task Force would find savings for the city next year and put forward a motion to lower the general operating revenue portion of the budget by $532,000.

Opposition councillors expressed concern about relying on that body's in-progress work.

"This is my sixth budget and we've never approved an unknown like this before," OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle said.

In the end, a motion from Sim to reduce the general operating revenue passed with the opposition councillors abstaining.

The volunteer body was supposed to report findings in October but pushed its deadline back to January.