Citizens are able to provide comments online for Council’s review and consideration for the Draft 2025 - 2029 Consolidated White Rock Financial Plan until January 30, 2025.
Download and view the Draft 2025 - 2029 Consolidated White Rock Financial Plan (PDF)
The draft 2025 – 2029 Consolidated Financial Plan recommends an average property tax increase of 4.94%. This equates to an average property tax increase of $221 for an average single-family household, and an average increase of $86 for an average multi-family, or strata household.
When combined with utility increases, an average single-family would expect to see an average combined increase of $518, or 7.90%. For an average multi-family, or strata unit, the expected average combined increase is $282, or 11.10%.
The Draft Financial Plan prioritizes community needs, elevates service delivery, and supports Council’s strategic focus across six essential domains:
Community
Housing & Land Use
Infrastructure (Built and Natural Environment)
Local Economy
Organization & Governance
Waterfront
These initiatives are vital to sustaining White Rock’s growth and livability.
Thank you for your feedback on the Draft 2025 - 2029 Consolidated Financial Plan. Discussion is now closed.
Citizens are able to provide comments online for Council’s review and consideration for the Draft 2025 - 2029 Consolidated White Rock Financial Plan until January 30, 2025.
Download and view the Draft 2025 - 2029 Consolidated White Rock Financial Plan (PDF)
The draft 2025 – 2029 Consolidated Financial Plan recommends an average property tax increase of 4.94%. This equates to an average property tax increase of $221 for an average single-family household, and an average increase of $86 for an average multi-family, or strata household.
When combined with utility increases, an average single-family would expect to see an average combined increase of $518, or 7.90%. For an average multi-family, or strata unit, the expected average combined increase is $282, or 11.10%.
The Draft Financial Plan prioritizes community needs, elevates service delivery, and supports Council’s strategic focus across six essential domains:
Community
Housing & Land Use
Infrastructure (Built and Natural Environment)
Local Economy
Organization & Governance
Waterfront
These initiatives are vital to sustaining White Rock’s growth and livability.
Ask questions or share comments on the proposed 2025 - 2029 Financial Plan
Comments and questions received will be summarized (answered where applicable) and shared with Council.
Consultation has concluded
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded. Thank you for your feedback.
You need to Cut, cut, cut. Austerity for just a few years. 1. No Xmas lights for a few years 2. No hanging flowers for a few years 3. No Warming centres for a few years. ( Ir we’re all going to end up using them) 4. Not sure where CCTV cameras for a few years 5. No Fireworks for a few year 6. No expensive advertising of events like concerts, parades. Too many people attending already causing crowd control issues (scary). 7. Put your thinking caps on and come up with other temporary cuts , austerity, let people know it’s just for a few years. It will be painful but it’s needed at this time
Joan
3 months ago
Just wanted to say, the hanging flower baskets, banners, lights, and fireworks are a nice touch in the area! My only concern is that the lights and sidewalks could use more TLC throughout the year, not just for holidays.
Jack Brine
3 months ago
The washrooms proposed at 5 corners will be a nightmare for residents in the area. (The rub and tug next to Laura’s already is. The “business” empties their garbage to the public garbage can out front, where walkers can see used individual packets of lube through the bag). Proposed intersection similar to the 5 way crosswalk in Stevston Richmond would be cool instead of what’s proposed for the area. Adding wifi to one of the most beautiful views (east beach), so people are encouraged to be on their phones is questionable dollars as well.
Emily
3 months ago
White Rock is already one of the most expensive property tax areas in the lower mainland. The other comments already cover numerous areas to review the spend and I suggest council and management adjust their plans and conduct a review of the expenses for the value citizens get from the services/expenses. Controlling costs is much more beneficial in the long term and will ensure a thriving municipality for years to come.
Marcans
3 months ago
We’ve already been struggling with far too long with your previous tax increases and the ever increasing cost of living. How much easier do you think it will be once Trump levies his tariffs on us? Increasing property taxes is NOT acceptable. Increasing utility charges is NOT acceptable. Is White Rock only for billionaires to reside in now? Is your goal to stay in office and serve the people? Then revise your plan now!
Cat
3 months ago
I am heartened to see the budget being allocated for the Warming Center for next year. Council and staff are doing right by helping support people and their basic human rights.
However after a brief glance at the 200+ page document I have to ask if all our tax dollars are really being spent in meaningful ways, and that the increase is taxes is truly needed. A few things jump out at me:
1 - We spent almost $630,000 on tree lights at the beach in 2024. And we plan to spend $125,000 every year going forward. Really? Could we possibly do without the privilege and niceties for a couple of years and fund more important things? Or reduce tax increases to help with livability?
2 - We're going to spend $185,000 installing CCTV cameras at part of the beach. For how many residents? Will CCTV's prevent crime? Help investigations? In today's day and age there are thousands of cameras on the beach, more than 1 on every person. Why are we spending more to put more cameras into the public and infringe on everyone's right to privacy and to not be recorded in public spaces?
3 - We spent $1.9M last year on a "Financial ERP System", and plan to spend another $1.5M this year. That's millions of dollars. Without knowing more, I smell a classic IT boondoggle.
4 - We seem to support 155 Mobile devices, with only 186 FTE equivalents. Do we need to pay for everyone to carry a work phone as well as their personal one, because most companies follow a BYO phone policy now.
I don't know the inner workings of all these line items, but I would humbly submit that there seems to be ways to reduce costs and expenses to either free up money for other things (like supporting human basic rights more than just during the day - the Warming Center had over 3,800 visits last year. That's in just 3.5 months!) Or if we don't want to help out those in need for some unclear reason, we could lower or eliminate the tax increase for the tax payers.
So thank you for putting the Warming Center into the budget. Let's do one better and build momentum on getting a 24 hour shelter running, or public facilities that unhoused individuals can use for basic things like showering and sleeping. Or we could put up a lot of nice lights in the trees at the beach. I hope we as a community, and you as leaders in this community, recognize our privilege and realize we have to give up some of it in order to help others gain access to things they need to basically live. This financial plan doesn't seem to reflect this kind of approach.
Kirk Bridger
3 months ago
City of White Rock’s Draft 2025-2029 Financial Plan: Overreach and Excess
Since 2018, White Rock residents have faced an astonishing 109% increase in taxes—a burden far exceeding reasonable growth or inflation. Now, the draft 2025-2029 Financial Plan appears to stretch beyond the city’s mandate, imposing further strain on taxpayers.
It’s time to demand fiscal responsibility and transparency. White Rock’s leadership must prioritize essential services, curb unnecessary spending, and respect the limits of their role. Let’s ensure our voices are heard—this level of taxation and overreach is unsustainable.
You need to Cut, cut, cut. Austerity for just a few years.
1. No Xmas lights for a few years
2. No hanging flowers for a few years
3. No Warming centres for a few years. ( Ir we’re all going to end up using them)
4. Not sure where CCTV cameras for a few years
5. No Fireworks for a few year
6. No expensive advertising of events like concerts, parades. Too many people attending already causing crowd control issues (scary).
7. Put your thinking caps on and come up with other temporary cuts , austerity, let people know it’s just for a few years. It will be painful but it’s needed at this time
Just wanted to say, the hanging flower baskets, banners, lights, and fireworks are a nice touch in the area! My only concern is that the lights and sidewalks could use more TLC throughout the year, not just for holidays.
The washrooms proposed at 5 corners will be a nightmare for residents in the area. (The rub and tug next to Laura’s already is. The “business” empties their garbage to the public garbage can out front, where walkers can see used individual packets of lube through the bag). Proposed intersection similar to the 5 way crosswalk in Stevston Richmond would be cool instead of what’s proposed for the area. Adding wifi to one of the most beautiful views (east beach), so people are encouraged to be on their phones is questionable dollars as well.
White Rock is already one of the most expensive property tax areas in the lower mainland. The other comments already cover numerous areas to review the spend and I suggest council and management adjust their plans and conduct a review of the expenses for the value citizens get from the services/expenses. Controlling costs is much more beneficial in the long term and will ensure a thriving municipality for years to come.
We’ve already been struggling with far too long with your previous tax increases and the ever increasing cost of living. How much easier do you think it will be once Trump levies his tariffs on us? Increasing property taxes is NOT acceptable. Increasing utility charges is NOT acceptable. Is White Rock only for billionaires to reside in now? Is your goal to stay in office and serve the people? Then revise your plan now!
I am heartened to see the budget being allocated for the Warming Center for next year. Council and staff are doing right by helping support people and their basic human rights.
However after a brief glance at the 200+ page document I have to ask if all our tax dollars are really being spent in meaningful ways, and that the increase is taxes is truly needed. A few things jump out at me:
1 - We spent almost $630,000 on tree lights at the beach in 2024. And we plan to spend $125,000 every year going forward. Really? Could we possibly do without the privilege and niceties for a couple of years and fund more important things? Or reduce tax increases to help with livability?
2 - We're going to spend $185,000 installing CCTV cameras at part of the beach. For how many residents? Will CCTV's prevent crime? Help investigations? In today's day and age there are thousands of cameras on the beach, more than 1 on every person. Why are we spending more to put more cameras into the public and infringe on everyone's right to privacy and to not be recorded in public spaces?
3 - We spent $1.9M last year on a "Financial ERP System", and plan to spend another $1.5M this year. That's millions of dollars. Without knowing more, I smell a classic IT boondoggle.
4 - We seem to support 155 Mobile devices, with only 186 FTE equivalents. Do we need to pay for everyone to carry a work phone as well as their personal one, because most companies follow a BYO phone policy now.
I don't know the inner workings of all these line items, but I would humbly submit that there seems to be ways to reduce costs and expenses to either free up money for other things (like supporting human basic rights more than just during the day - the Warming Center had over 3,800 visits last year. That's in just 3.5 months!) Or if we don't want to help out those in need for some unclear reason, we could lower or eliminate the tax increase for the tax payers.
So thank you for putting the Warming Center into the budget. Let's do one better and build momentum on getting a 24 hour shelter running, or public facilities that unhoused individuals can use for basic things like showering and sleeping. Or we could put up a lot of nice lights in the trees at the beach. I hope we as a community, and you as leaders in this community, recognize our privilege and realize we have to give up some of it in order to help others gain access to things they need to basically live. This financial plan doesn't seem to reflect this kind of approach.
City of White Rock’s Draft 2025-2029 Financial Plan: Overreach and Excess
Since 2018, White Rock residents have faced an astonishing 109% increase in taxes—a burden far exceeding reasonable growth or inflation. Now, the draft 2025-2029 Financial Plan appears to stretch beyond the city’s mandate, imposing further strain on taxpayers.
It’s time to demand fiscal responsibility and transparency. White Rock’s leadership must prioritize essential services, curb unnecessary spending, and respect the limits of their role. Let’s ensure our voices are heard—this level of taxation and overreach is unsustainable.