The Vancouver City Council is scheduled to spend the coming six weeks closely reviewing a proposed 2023-2024 biennial budget.
City Manager Eric Holmes’ recommended budget centers around the city of Vancouver’s touch points of safety, equity and climate action, according to a news release. It proposes $1.7 billion in total expenditures, including $707 million for general, street and fire funds, and $277 million in capital projects.
The city release highlighted takeaways from the budget, including:
- An increase in full-time staff, more than half of whom would be dedicated to police and fire services.
- Changes in business license fees and surcharges to generate funds for city-led upgrades and services.
- Funding for homeless responses, such as expanding its Homeless Assistance and Resources Team and adding a new Safe Park and two Safe Stay Communities to its network.
Public input ranging from community surveys to direct engagement with neighborhood groups was used to shape the budget. Board members and commissioners, as well as Vancouver’s Social Vulnerability Index, helped create the budget for capital and program investments.
The recommended 2023-2024 biennial budget and related information can be viewed at www.cityofvancouver.us/budget.
