Metro Vancouver service costs expected to rise 44 per cent

2011, everything, expected, services

Metro Vancouver service costs expected to rise 44 per cent
Works out to extra $230 per household
Lyle Fisher/Vancouver Sun Jul 15, 2011 06:45:04 AM
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METRO VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Get ready to dig deeper in your pockets.

Over the next five years, the cost of many services in Metro Vancouver is expected to soar by 44 per cent. That works out to an extra $230 for every homeowner per year.

The extra money is needed to cover everything from water and sewer services to park maintenance and garbage collection.

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie wants senior levels of government to help foot the bill for some of the region's biggest projects. They include the $800 million Seymour-Capilano water filtration plant and upgrades to the Iona and Lions Gate sewage treatment facilities.

Brodie tells the Vancouver Sun municipalities currently get eight cents of every tax dollar, which he calls "outdated and unfair."

Garbage tipping fees in the region are also expected to double over the next five years.