The City of Richmond is looking at spending almost $100 million on capital items this year.
Almost half of the proposed budget will go toward infrastructure – road, drainage, water and sewer improvements.
But, when the proposed budget was presented to council on Monday, Coun. Bill McNulty suggested rethinking at least one item, for example, adding $500,000 in improvements to Hamilton Community Centre’s heating and cooling system, which city staff didn’t recommend doing this year.
Furthermore, Coun. Carol Day took issue with the estimated cost of a by-election to replace former Coun. Kelly Greene who was elected to the provincial legislature in October.
In the end, council referred the capital budget back to staff for more analysis – it will come back to an upcoming committee meeting for further discussion.
Proposed infrastructure improvements in 2021 include a multi-use pathway on No. 2 Road from Williams Road to Steveston Highway, replacement of the artificial turf at King George Park and renewal of South Arm Park.
Ten million dollars will be put aside for land acquisition.
Second to infrastructure, the next biggest item is park improvements, but this will only use about 13 per cent of the budget.
The 2021 budget is significantly lower than the average annual capital budget, mainly due to the timing of major projects.
In fact, in 2022, the capital budget is expected to be almost $220 million, which includes replacement of the Steveston Community Centre and library, pegged at about $93 million.
City council approved a 5.68 per cent property tax increase in January.
