2025 Budget Invests in Community Priorities and Sets Tax Rate
Maple Ridge, B.C., April 3, 2025 – Maple Ridge Council gave first three readings to the City’s 2025-2029 Financial Plan Bylaw, which invests in key community priorities while keeping the municipal tax rate as low as possible through continued cost-saving efforts.
The proposed 2025 Budget, which will go to Council on April 8 for final approval, includes a municipal property tax rate of 4.9% – below the regional average and lower than the previously proposed 5.5% increase. For the average household assessed at $1.1 million, this equates to an additional $137 in municipal property taxes over last year. Much of the increase is due to inflation and regional infrastructure fees beyond the City’s control.
“With the current financial climate, Council continues to hear from our community that affordability is a top concern,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “That’s why we worked with staff to find further savings and reduce the tax rate while still delivering the essential services and infrastructure our growing city needs. We also recognize the importance of diversifying our tax base to ease the burden on residents. This budget reflects a strategic approach—investing where it matters most, looking for efficiencies, and making sure we are delivering on services that our residents rely on.”
The budget also includes adjustments to utility rates, largely driven by regional infrastructure costs, and eliminates the recycling levy.
Budget Highlights: Investing in Community Priorities
The 2025 Budget is part of a 2025–2029 Financial Plan that is built on Council’s strategic priorities and informed by community input gathered through three phases of public engagement. The $188 million approved operating budget includes investments in community safety, infrastructure, housing, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
Key highlights include:
Community Safety and Well-Being
- Creation of a dedicated Social Wellbeing Service to support vulnerable residents.
- Expansion of Community Safety Officer (CSO) service hours to improve public safety.
- Increased support for RCMP de-integration to maintain police service levels.
- Establishment of an internal Animal Control Service to improve enforcement and education.
Recreation, Culture, and Events
- Increased funding to maintain and enhance City-led events such as Canada Day, Celebrate the Night, and neighbourhood gatherings and to support community-led festivals and new cultural celebrations.
- Expanded lifeguard coverage at City pools to improve safety.
Infrastructure and Environment
- Invest in urban forestry, including planting 750 trees by 2026 to support the City’s goal of 40% tree canopy coverage by 2050.
- Enhanced resources to improve capital program delivery and meet infrastructure demands.
- Investments in drainage, road networks, water, and sewer systems as part of the $67 million 2025 capital plan.
Economic Development and Corporate Excellence
- Increased marketing capacity to attract new businesses and support local economic growth.
- Expanded support for the film industry through promotion and partnerships.
- Strengthened procurement, recruitment, and onboarding services to improve project delivery and retain talent.
- Expanded fire service training to improve emergency response readiness and safety.
No Tax Impact Initiatives
Several initiatives in the 2025 Budget are funded through existing resources, grants, and reserves with no direct tax impact to residents, including:
- Enhanced capital design and construction capacity.
- Increased support for filming attraction and management.
- Expanded fire service training programs.
Utility Rate Adjustments
While the City has worked to minimize the property tax rate, utility rate adjustments for 2025 reflect increased regional infrastructure costs outside of the City’s control:
- Sewer rates will rise by 23.5% (approximately $136 more for the average household per year) driven primarily by Metro Vancouver’s escalating costs to fund the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant and other regional wastewater infrastructure.
- Water rates will increase by 4.5%, (adding about $35 per household per year).
Recycling Levy Removal
The previously planned $43 recycling levy has been removed from property tax bills, following the transition by Ridge Meadows Recycling Society of curbside recycling collection to Recycle BC at no cost to residents.
“These utility increases reflect regional infrastructure costs that are outside of the City’s control,” said Mayor Ruimy. “But where we could, we reduced costs and found efficiencies.”
2025 Capital Plan Highlights
The previously approved $67 million 2025 Capital Plan, part of the City’s $340 million five-year Capital Program, includes major projects such as:
- The extension of Abernethy Way, construction of a new bridge on 240 Street, and active transportation upgrades to improve mobility and safety.
- Drainage improvements, critical water and sewer infrastructure upgrades.
- Replacement of key City assets such as the ACT Arts Centre roof and animal control vehicles.
- Upgrades to the Port Haney waterfront, Maple Ridge Park amenities, and continued planning for new aquatic and arena facilities.
- Implementation of a new financial and human resources system to improve service delivery.
The City is also actively applying for external grants and funding opportunities to help offset costs and maximize investment in these projects.
Long-Term Financial Responsibility
The 2025–2029 Financial Plan positions Maple Ridge to meet the needs of a growing community while maintaining flexibility to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities. To learn more about the City’s business planning and budget process, visit MapleRidge.ca/Budget2025.