13 / 388
Message from the General Manager, Finance andTechnology
2017-2021 FINANCIAL PLAN
The new energy system reduces emissions, increases energy security, stimulates local
economic development, provides competitive energy pricing and increases public
awareness around the sustainable use of energy. Surrey’s City Hall also makes use of
the district energy system, utilizing an underground geo-exchange field, which uses heat
pumps to extract the energy stored in the ground. As the City Centre area continues to
be redeveloped, further expansion of the district energy system is expected to take
place.
The City’s Corporate Emissions Action Plan, adopted by Council on October 2010,
outlines how we intend to reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from
corporate sources by 33% below baseline levels by 2020 and by 80% by 2050. While
signs of success are starting to show in the residential and commercial building
environment, light and heavy duty vehicles continue to be a challenge when it comes to
reducing these greenhouse gas emissions.
As compliment to the Corporate Emissions Action Plan is the Community Climate Action
Strategy that includes a Climate Adaptation Strategy, identifying how the City may be
vulnerable to climate change and proposes actions to mitigate the risk, and a
Community Energy and Emissions Plan that provides guidance to reduce community
energy spending and greenhouse gas emissions.
With the rapid growth that the City has undertaken, constant demands are placed on our
community services. The City continues to meet these challenges through continuous
service expansion and by delivering quality civil amenities that have enhanced the
quality of life and created new opportunities for residents. As Surrey continues to grow,
new challenges continue to arise. The City is able to meet these demands through the
management of our major revenue along with the optimization of our financial reserves.
Some of the needs that are highlighted in this plan include additional ice surfaces in
Cloverdale; replacement of the ice surfaces in North Surrey and the addition of a
recreation & library facility in Clayton. These initiatives will help to ensure that Surrey
remains a great place for our citizens to live, work, play, invest and raise a family.
Being the City of the future, we must strive to deliver sustainable services to the citizens
of Surrey. Managing growth, keeping property tax increases to a minimum while
ensuring delivery of infrastructure and services, requires a fine balance. Although this
may be challenging, many opportunities arise allowing the City to continue to flourish. It
is exciting to be a part of all this change.
7