FAQs
How does the District balance the budget?
Money coming in must equal to money going out. Municipalities are required by the Provincial legislation 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.
What is the 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.
What is the 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.
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 service activities and has its own particular revenues, expenditures, reserves and capital program. Each fund also has its own particular approach to budgeting and rate setting.
