Maple Ridge, B.C., Jan 23, 2025 – Maple Ridge residents and businesses have until Feb. 16 to provide feedback on a proposed 2025 budget that focuses on affordability while balancing key community priorities.
The proposed budget includes a $154 (5.5 per cent) property tax increase this year for the average Maple Ridge home valued at $1,100,000. While much of the increase relates to rising costs beyond the City’s control, Council worked to ensure it is below average compared to other reported municipal increases in the region.
Based on Council’s direction, staff have been working since early December to find efficiencies to reduce the initial proposed increase of 6.87 per cent and continue to look for opportunities to reduce it further. The reduction in proposed property tax increase is a result of projected growth in property tax revenue from new construction as well as from transitioning the collection of curbside recycling to Recycle BC from Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, eliminating fees for this service.
"Council understands the affordability pressures many of our residents face,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “At the same time, we must address the immediate and long-term needs of our rapidly growing city, including public safety, housing, transportation, and economic development, which are vital to our community’s well-being. That’s why we’ve asked staff to continue to dig deeper—seeking additional savings and efficiencies—while ensuring we strike the right balance to maintain and enhance critical services that matter to our residents.”
From Jan. 23 to Feb. 16, residents can visit Engage.MapleRidge.ca/Budget2025 to learn about the budget services provided, complete a feedback form, and see dates and locations for budget pop-up information sessions. This is the City’s third round of public engagement on the 2025 budget.
2025 Operating Budget Priorities
The City’s proposed $175M operating budget for 2025 focuses on sustaining core municipal services and strategic service enhancements aimed at advancing Council’s priorities, supporting the City’s growth and improving community well-being. Key enhancements include:
- Community Safety: Increase support for protective services (fire, police, bylaws), social planning services to enhance community well-being and safety, and establish an internal animal control service.
- Economic Development: Attract business, foster investment, and expand the film industry.
- Community Events and Recreation: Expand support for City and community-led events to foster community engagement, recreational services, cultural diversity, and tourism.
- Corporate Governance: Increase capacity to deliver complex capital projects efficiently and on time to meet the community's infrastructure needs.
- Housing and Transportation: Implement the Housing Action Plan and support Bus Rapid Transit.
- Infrastructure and Environment: Build on our major roads to enhance safety and capacity and expand the urban forest canopy to contribute to environmental sustainability.
How to Provide Feedback
Feedback on the draft 2025 budget and 2025-2029 Financial Plan can be provided through:
- Online feedback form at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/Budget2025. A printed copy can be requested at Engage@MapleRidge.ca or 604-466-4300 (dial 4 and extension 5305).
- Pop-up sessions. Dates and locations to be announced at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/Budget2025.
- All year round by email to Budget@MapleRidge.ca, voicemail at 604-467-7484, or mail to Trevor Thompson, Director of Finance, City of Maple Ridge, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9.
2025 Operating Budget Process
The 2025 budget is developed as part of the 2025-2029 Financial Plan. The process includes:
- July 2024: Approval of the 2025 Business Planning Guidelines.
- Oct. – Nov. 2024: Department updates to Council, and public engagement on key priorities.
- Dec. 2024: A provisional operating budget presented, highlighting challenges like inflation, rising costs, and growing technology needs. Council approved the capital plan and 16 one-time priority projects funded by surplus, grants, and reserves.
- Jan. 2025: Staff refined the budget and presented it to Council on Jan. 21.
- Jan. 23 – Feb. 16: Community engagement on the 2025 Budget.
- Late Feb. – March: Approval of the 2025-2029 Financial Plan.
- April – May: Adoption of related financial plan and property tax bylaws.
Key Capital Investments
To enable staff to proceed with infrastructure and planning initiatives, in December Council approved a $67 million Capital Plan for 2025, part of the $340 million five-year plan, to support critical infrastructure and growth. Key projects include:
- Transportation: Extending Abernethy Way (232 to 240 Street), building a 240 Street Bridge for Silver Valley access, and active transportation upgrades on 232 Street and Thorne Avenue.
- Drainage: Improvements on Gee Street, Dewdney Trunk Road (230 Street to 119 Avenue) and 228 Street (Dewdney Trunk Road to 123 Avenue).
- Water and Sewer: Twinning the Grant Mountain reservoir, replacing the 256 Street reservoir, upgrading sewer piping on 126 Avenue (216 to Grace Street), and replacing the 208 Street sewage pump station.
- Government Services: Replacing the ACT roof and acquiring animal control vans.
- Parks, Recreation, and Culture: Progress on the recreation facility feasibility study and arena project and upgrades to the Port Haney waterfront and Maple Ridge Park washrooms, picnic shelter, and parking lots.
One-Time Priority Projects
Council also approved 16 one-time priority projects in December, funded by surplus, grants, and reserves with no tax impact, including:
- Environment: A two-year tree planting program to help achieve the target of 40 per cent tree canopy in urban areas by 2050, and a hazardous waste roundup day.
- Economic Development: Planning for industrial land to support business growth and job creation.
- Community & Safety: Operating the mobile event stage at festivals, hosting a regional event, and launching a community well-being pilot to address safety and social service needs.
- Housing & Transportation: Support for Bus Rapid Transit project management, the Housing Action Plan, and Phase 2 of the Official Community Plan update.
To learn more about the City’s business planning and budget process, visit MapleRidge.ca/BusinessPlanning. To learn more about the draft 2025 budget priorities and complete the feedback survey, visit Engage.MapleRidge.ca/Budget2025.
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Media contact:
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 C 778 955 4249
E Media@MapleRidge.ca