Post by : Meena
Hassan
The Surrey Police Board has put forward a proposal for a substantial $91 million hike in its budget, which could lead to an 18 percent increase in property taxes for the community. Mayor Brenda Locke has called this proposed increase “unacceptable.”
“That simply cannot happen. It’s not feasible,” Locke stated, emphasizing that the city had already augmented its policing budget last year. The suggested increase represents a 38 percent spike over the 2025 budget and is larger than the entire annual budget allotted for the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.
“All levels of government are aware of the financial strains on residents, and we cannot present a budget that inflates policing costs by 18 percent,” Locke commented.
The municipality has assessed the provisional budget proposed by the Surrey Police Board and has asked the board to re-evaluate the numbers. Locke emphasized that this proposed increase is unrelated to the provincial funding for the extortion task force.
Surrey councillor Linda Annis, who is also a mayoral candidate, mentioned that the budget is still in its draft stage. She reassured that the proposed funding is still within the $250 million allotment provided by the province.
Annis recognized that the transition to a municipal police force has garnered significant political interest but maintained that any further funding should not impose additional costs on taxpayers. “Once the financial numbers are revisited, a final decision regarding the budget can be reached,” she noted.
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