Statement from the Mayor: Surrey Taxpayers Face Big Property Tax Hike if SPS Transition Continues

A staff report presented to Surrey City Council last month sheds light on the immense cost of the police transition in Surrey. According to that report, the costs for the Surrey Police Service are estimated to be $235M more than maintaining the RCMP as Surrey’s Police of Jurisdiction over the next 5 years. To recover this funding gap in the upcoming year a one-time tax increase of 55% would be required, in addition to the normal tax rate set by Council.

It is abundantly clear that a switch to the Surrey Police Service would create an untenable financial burden for Surrey taxpayers during these challenging economic times. It is also unreasonable to advance the City’s budget process any further without knowing which economic scenario the City will face.

Given the economic hardship facing Surrey taxpayers if the transition continues and the fact that the City needs to finalize its budget, it is vital that the Province move quickly to endorse Council’s decision to retain the RCMP.

Mayor Brenda Locke