Budget explained

Like any business or household, each year the municipality is challenged with increased costs. The money that comes into the District of West Vancouver is budgeted in a fiscally responsible manner and spent on services and capital expenses, including police, fire and rescue, bylaw enforcement, parks, community centres, the library, festivals and cultural programs, roadwork, and much more.

Money coming in must equal money going out. Municipalities are required to balance their budget.

The cost of providing services must be balanced with a tax increase that the community can afford at any one time.

For the 2022 budget, the first priority is to continue delivering and improving core services to residents and businesses. A fiscally responsible budget that supports recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and initiatives to deliver Council’s Strategic Plan are also priorities.

There are two key expenditures in the District's budget:

Operating budget

The operating budget pays for staff wages to provide day-to-day operations such as park and trail maintenance, running cultural and recreational programs, and operating District facilities.

West Vancouver’s challenging geography impacts the cost of essential services compared to other municipalities.

After accounting for all other revenues, the cost of these services is funded through property taxes.

Capital budget

West Vancouver, like almost every municipality in Canada, has ageing infrastructure that requires a long-term plan and financial resources to repair, maintain, and replace assets. This includes everything from community centres and the Seawalk to park benches, streets, and sidewalks.

The capital budget provides funds for maintenance and replacement of infrastructure, such as roads, District facilities, and parks and trails.

Capital projects are prioritized by Council and outlined in their Strategic Plan. The majority of capital projects are funded by the Asset Levy.

Let's take a closer look: What makes up the District's budget?

The District’s consolidated budget is made up of the individual budget of various funds. Each fund is a stand-alone business entity that engages in specific services and has its own revenues, expenditures, reserves, and capital program. Each fund also has its own particular approach to budgeting and rate setting.

Let’s focus on the General Fund— the primary operating fund of the District. It is within this fund that property tax rates are determined. The services being paid for through the General Fund constitute the core operational responsibilities of the District.

Most budget revenue comes from property taxes—last year 74% of the budget was funded this way. Other sources include fees for services, programs, licences, development permits, and parking and bylaw fines.

View an outline of the General Fund, Utility Funds, and other stand-alone funds