Mayor Brenda Locke promises one of the region’s lowest increases as city invests big in public safety, recreation, and parks
Surrey residents, take note: your property tax bill is going up — but not by much.
Mayor Brenda Locke announced this week that Surrey is proposing a 2.8% general property tax increase, alongside a 1% road levy for 2025. Combined, this makes for one of the lowest property tax hikes Surrey has seen in recent memory — and one of the most modest across Metro Vancouver.
“We’re very happy. Staff worked incredibly hard to keep this increase low while still growing a city,” Locke told reporters. “At the same time, we have to keep amenities flowing.”
What Does This Mean for Homeowners?
For the average single-family home, the proposed increase will mean:
- $77 in additional property tax
- $27 more for road improvements
In return, residents can expect:
- 20 new firefighters
- 25 new police officers
- 10 bylaw enforcement staff
- Funding for the much-anticipated Newton Community Centre
$701M Capital Plan: From Pools to Parks to a Downtown Arena
Surrey’s five-year General Capital Program packs a punch — with $701 million earmarked for upgrades, expansions, and new builds.
Major projects include:
- Newton Community Centre ($310.6M) — featuring a 50-metre pool & massive new library
- Cloverdale Athletic Park upgrades ($12.3M)
- Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre expansion ($65.5M)
- Unwin Community Park – Phase One & Master Plan ($18.7M)
- Nicomekl Riverfront Park ($26M)
- Interactive Art Museum in City Centre ($100M)
- Preliminary planning for a 10,000-seat Sports & Entertainment Arena ($4M)
From new turf fields and sports courts to community park enhancements, the city’s vision is clear: recreation, livability, and culture are priorities.
Utility Rate Hikes: The Shadow of the $2.86B NSWWTP Overrun
While property taxes may be low, utility rate pressures remain high, largely due to ballooning costs tied to the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant (NSWWTP).
Surrey’s 2025 sewer levy jumped 37.6% over last year:
- $174/year more for average metered single-family homes
- $967/year for commercial accounts
- $386/year for non-metered residential
City officials say 76% of this hike is due to the NSWWTP budget overrun, which added $2.86 billion to its price tag.
“This will impact residents for the next 15 years,” city manager Rob Costanzo said. “It’s a significant cost escalation.”
What’s Next?
Residents can provide input on the proposed budget until April 11. Key dates:
- April 14: Financial Plan presented to the Finance Committee
- April 28: Council vote expected on final adoption
Building a City, Not Just Managing One
Mayor Locke says the budget strikes a balance between affordability and ambition.
“We’re not just keeping the lights on — we’re building a Surrey that future generations can be proud of.”
