Mayor's Report - October 2007

On October 16^th Metro Vancouver staff held a briefing for Northeast Sector municipal staff and elected officials on the proposed 2008 Metro Vancouver budget. The PowerPoint presentation can be found here. Although the Water District and Sewer & Drainage District budgets do not impact on Belcarra property owners, Solid Waste Management and other regional functions such as Air Quality and Regional Parks do have an impact.

The 2008 program priorities for the Solid Waste Management function are:

• Implement Zero Waste Challenge initiatives to minimize use of landfills;
• Establish a replacement for the Cache Creek Landfill;
• Issue RFP for a waste-to-energy and resource recovery facilities; and
• Complete Solid Waste Management Plan & submit to BC Environment.

The 2008 budget for the Solid Waste Management program will be $108 million, an increase of $11 million. However, due to the “growth” in solid waste volumes, the “tip fee” will remain unchanged at $65 per ton. Of particular note, however, capital expenditures over the next 10 years for new solid waste facilities are projected to be $571 million!

The Regional Parks function is the most highly visible program for Metro Vancouver, and region-wide initiatives for 2008 include:

• Continue implementation of Parks & Greenways Plan;
• Complete Parkland Acquisition Catalogue;
• Expand youth programs;
• Develop and implement a volunteer program;
• Complete emergency plans for all parks;
• Develop a comprehensive Conservation / Resource Management Program;
• Prepare a multi-year Capital Development Plan; and
• Continue development of a dynamic Wildfire Risk Management System.

Specific initiatives for the North Fraser Area of Regional Parks include:

• Design and construct Colony Farm day-use area;
• Resurface White Pine Beach parking lots;
• Redevelop south shore trails at Burnaby Lake;
• Continue trail rebuilding and re-signing program at Belcarra and Minnekhada;
• Complete adaptive reuse plan for Picken House;
• Commence full operation of the Pitt River Greenway; and
• Continue Watershed Stewardship Centre planning at Kanaka Creek.

Metro Vancouver – Where the Money Comes From ($ millions – 2008)

Metro Vancouver – Where the Money Goes ($ millions – 2008)

Metro Vancouver – 2008 Budget Impacts

The “bottom line” projected costs for Metro Vancouver households are as follows:

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