MAPLE RIDGE, January 16, 2024... As citizens of Maple Ridge, what’s important to you? Residents are encouraged to have their say on the priorities that will shape the City’s 2024 budget until Jan. 28.
Citizen feedback is essential in developing each year’s budget and five-year financial plan. For the 2024 budget, the City is kicking off its public engagement today by checking in with the community on the priorities that will guide the planned activities and expenditures for 2024.
Residents can learn more about the budget priorities and find links to a survey at mapleridge.ca/budget2024 until Jan. 28, or drop by a pop-up display at City facilities (see below).
“The annual budget is at the heart of what cities do – it funds our day-to-day core services as well as the additional activities designed to help us achieve our vision for Maple Ridge,” Mayor Dan Ruimy said. “We’re starting off our budget process with a priority check-in to better understand what’s important to our community before we finalize our budget. We’re committed to delivering on what matters to our residents while meeting the needs of our growing community. I encourage residents to have their say.
Budget Process and Engagement
The 2024 budget process began with the development of the 2023-2026 Council Strategic Plan, adopted in May following public consultation. Based on this plan, the City developed a set of Objectives and Key Results to deliver on the strategic priorities, with clear outcomes and timelines.
Overall, Maple Ridge’s draft 2024 budget will be framed around maintaining core municipal services and delivering on key community priorities and needs reflected in the 2023-2026 Council Strategic Plan. In particular, the City is preparing to take action on two issues that are crucial to meeting its obligations to ensure residents and business can thrive: accelerating housing and enhancing public safety.
Long-term planning has identified a critical need for investment in fire services both to meet current demands and keep pace with population growth and the evolving needs of the community. Additional investment in police services is also required as Maple Ridge prepares for the de-integration of the Ridge Meadows RCMP as the City of Pitt Meadows transitions to its own RCMP detachment.
Additionally, new provincial legislation outlines new requirements and responsibilities for local governments to take steps to increase housing supply. These new responsibilities come with significant related costs that the City must incorporate in its financial planning.
Before finalizing 2024 expenditures and setting tax rates, the City is inviting community feedback on the strategic priorities and related activities until Jan. 28 through:
- An online survey at engage.mapleridge.ca/budget2024
- Pop-up displays with staff to answer questions:
- Maple Ridge Leisure Centre – January 23 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Maple Ridge Fraser Valley Regional Library – January 24 from 3 to 5 p.m.
- Albion Community Centre – January 25 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Residents will have another opportunity to provide feedback on the draft 2024 budget and five-year financial plan in February, prior to their planned adoption in March. Information will be posted on the budget webpage.
2024 Budget Priorities
Priorities from the Council Strategic Plan are providing the framework for the 2024 budget and activities:
- Liveable Community
- Climate Leadership & Environment Stewardship
- Engaged, Healthy Community
- Diversified, Thriving Economy
- Governance & Corporate Excellence
Learn more about the Council Strategic Plan at mapleridge.ca/councilstratplan.
Factors Affecting the 2024 Budget
In addition to the budget priorities and other issues mentioned above, a variety of factors will affect the development of the 2024 budget, including:
- Increasing costs related to labour agreements, including the RCMP wage settlement, CUPE (City staff) and IAFF (firefighters).
- Increasing costs for contracted services such as E-Comm 911, Fraser Valley Regional Library and the SPCA.
- New unfunded responsibilities related to provincial legislation for housing and accessibility.
- Inflationary cost increases to existing services (base budget).
- Continuing economic uncertainty.
Comments on the budget or other financial matters may also be provided year-round to budget@mapleridge.ca or 604-467-7484 (voicemail).
For further information, contact:
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager Corporate Communications & Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 E ppurewal@mapleridge.ca