Message from the General Manager, Finance andTechnology
2017-2021 FINANCIAL PLAN
As a means of achieving our waste diversion and illegal dumping targets by the year
2018 and 2020 respectively, the City is developing a comprehensive work plan to be
initiated in 2017 that includes: new services to high-rise customers; expanding existing
services to curbside (single family) customers; increasing education of the City’s existing
waste collection programs; and enhancing enforcement efforts by deploying new
surveillance technologies. In order to support these initiatives, the City will implement a
$4.00 rate increase, bringing the solid waste rate to $287 per single family residence in
2017 ($283 in 2016).
8.0 SURREY CITY ENERGY UTILITY FINANCIAL PLAN—ISSUES AND PRIORITIES
The Surrey City Energy (“SCE”) Utility has been structured to be a self-sustaining fund
that will supply heating, cooling and hot water to high-density new construction in the
City. In July 2014, Council approved the establishment of a third-party Expert External
Rate Review Panel to assist staff and Council in the oversight of SCE’s rates and rate
structure. The Panel conducted a full review of the long-term financial plan, rate
structure, and 2017 rates and has provided a letter of endorsement in support of the
2017 rates. The average residential customer will pay $827.27 in 2017, based on an
average unit size of 70m
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and annual consumption of 7.35 MWh/year. The SCE is
currently serving 4 multi-unit high-rise and commercial buildings, with another 6
buildings expected to connect to the system in 2017 and 2018.
9.0 WATER UTILITY FINANCIAL PLAN—ISSUES AND PRIORITIES
The Water Utility is a self-sustaining fund; any projected funding requirements are met
by a corresponding increase in user fees. Over the last several years, the City has been
moving towards a fully ‘metered’ approach for recovering the costs of the water utility,
with the eventual aim of retiring the ‘flat rate’ system and having all properties on water
meters.
The Water Utility’s funding requirements are affected by the following factors:
Greater Vancouver Regional District’s (“GVRD”) projected water rate increases; and
Contractual labour and energy cost increases.
To meet these funding requirements, water rates will increase in 2017 and beyond. The
average metered single family dwelling will pay $414 in 2017 ($401 in 2016) based on an
average yearly consumption of 360 cubic metres.
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