City OKs capital budget, fixes to Aquatic Centre

Vancouver council approved a $730-million capital budget Tuesday for 2023, but put off a decision about the operating budget — which includes major items such as policing — until next year.

The 2023 capital budget is the first step in implementing a fouryear capital plan approved in June of this year by the previous council, which contemplates $3.5 billion in spending on infrastructure and amenities.

Key projects in the plan's first phase include the renewal of the Vancouver Aquatic Centre in the West End — which is aging and in disrepair. It also includes expansion of W.C. Shelly Park in Grandview-Woodland, and renovation and expansion of a downtown firehall.

The capital budget also includes some projects in progress such as expansion of the Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre, improvements to the Granville Street Bridge, and renovations and expansion of the Grandview firehall.

In recent years, Vancouver council has approved both the capital and operating budgets in December for the coming year. But council is able to delay decisions about the operating budget until the first quarter of the year, which they have decided to do this year.

City staff have presented council with a draft operating budget of $1.9 billion for 2023, which includes a property tax increase of five per cent. But that draft budget does not include the increase requested by the Vancouver Police Department and endorsed by the police board, which city staff have estimated could push the property tax increase to seven per cent. ABC Vancouver campaigned on increasing the police budget, and swept to power with a mayor and seven councillors elected.

Speaking after the council meeting, Mayor Ken Sim said that any material delay to the capital budget's approval could mean significant costs, “so we're not willing to do that.”

“When it comes to the operating budget, that budget was based on the previous council and their priorities … We're going to go through it with a fine-tooth comb and make sure it reflects the desires and the wishes of Vancouverites,” Sim said. “That's why we're taking our time, and we'll approve a budget in the next quarter.”

A final decision on the 2023 operating budget is expected by March, and council heard Tuesday that the city will seek public input and participation before then.