Metro Vancouver to reduce utility bill costs for residents after review

The Metro Vancouver Regional District has approved a staff plan to reduce the taxes it charges to residents in the next two years after a spending review.

Metro Vancouver is comprised of 21 municipalities, one electoral area and one First Nation, and it co-ordinates regional services like sewage, drinking water and regional parks.

The regional district has come under a lot of scrutiny recently — especially after the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant fiasco, where the cost of a new plant was forecast at $700 million, but ballooned more than five times higher to $3.86 billion following a series of problems.

Metro Vancouver's board of directors approved a staff spending review on Wednesday that changes when some projects will be delivered, and reduces spending on capital infrastructure and consulting services, among other things.

The review means residents in the region can expect to pay less on their utility bill for the next two years, with the rate increase that was set to be charged next year cut in half.

Now, the average household will pay $896 in 2026, instead of the $918 that was forecast under the original plan.

"We're prioritizing essential repairs, phasing improvements over time rather than renovating everything at once, and doing more work in-house instead of relying on contractors," said Metro Vancouver board vice-chair John McEwen in a statement.

McEwen, who is also the mayor of Anmore, said the spending review addressed cost concerns from residents while maintaining long-term sustainability.

The new five-year budget projects a reduction in operating costs by more than $300 million and infrastructure costs by more than $1.1 billion.

But Vancouver Coun. Mike Klassen, who is one of the Metro Vancouver board directors, said that one of the major reasons for the increase was the wastewater plant upgrades that are mandated by federal regulations.

"I think these costs are truly being foisted on our region," he told the meeting. "And we're being, kind of, left scrambling trying to figure out how to pay for them.

"Much of the work that seems that's happening here is, as good as it is, is pushing things further into the future," he added. "Eventually those bills are going to have to get paid."

Metro Vancouver's board will vote on its final budget and five-year plan in October.

There's also an ongoing review of the board's expenses and remuneration for its board and executives, which is expected to be dealt with later this month.