ANITA HUBERMAN
SURREY – The Surrey Board of Trade advocates for a sustainable financial local government framework that fosters a thriving economy, livability, and innovation in Surrey. The City of Surrey budget (both operational and capital) play a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of Surrey, affecting businesses today and in the future.
The Surrey Board of Trade provided feedback regarding the 5-Year Financial Plan, and more specifically the Draft City of Surrey Five Year (2024-2029) Financial Plans (General Operating, Capital & Utilities),
“The Surrey Board of Trade urges the City to issue its budget in December, prior to the following fiscal year,” said Anita Huberman, President & CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade. “This delay that happened this year, while understandable, creates an uncertain economic environment for businesses and organizations. Businesses can’t plan four months into the year with an uncertain property tax environment. Businesses bear the greatest burden of taxation in an already challenging economic environment.”
Transparency and Public Engagement:
The Surrey Board of Trade underscores the importance of transparent budgeting processes and meaningful public engagement. It urges the City to enhance public input opportunities, release the budget well in advance for thorough review, and appoint an independent Auditor General to ensure accountability and value for taxpayer money.
Last year, the City of Surrey arranged a city-wide open house engagement on the city budget, but there was no one from the City of Surrey’s Finance Team to respond to accounting questions. The city budget consultation being managed by economic development is only one piece of the overall budget – questions related to policing, livability infrastructure and so many other items, required on-site expertise at these consultation sessions. The 2024 city budget itself was released with only two weeks to review a complex document, which also needed further consultation for both the public and the business community.
Taxation and Investments:
Concerns regarding property tax increases, lack of clarity on tax impacts for businesses, and the need for strategic investments in infrastructure, tourism, and economic development are highlighted. The Surrey Board of Trade recommends exploring opportunities such as waiving property taxes for international businesses relocating to Surrey and leveraging cannabis revenue for city funding.
Cultural and Infrastructure Development:
The Surrey Board of Trade advocates for a robust tourism, arts, and culture investment strategy, emphasizing the importance of cultural hubs, performing arts centres, convention centres, film studios, and a downtown core to attract businesses and visitors.
Social Policy and Workforce Development:
Addressing housing affordability, supporting newcomers, ensuring adequate school infrastructure, and establishing a downtown core are identified as key areas for city development. The Surrey Board of Trade suggests innovative approaches to increase rental housing stock and expedite development approvals.
Transportation and Public Safety:
The Surrey Board of Trade emphasizes the need for rapid transit expansion, road improvements, workforce transit solutions, and investments in public safety services to meet the city’s growing needs and enhance livability.
City-Wide Staffing and Operating Costs:
Support for new staffing requests, including an environmental technician and Indigenous relations lead, is expressed, along with recommendations for enhancing public safety services through the hiring of additional bylaw officers, police, and fire personnel.
“We are committed to collaborating with the City of Surrey to drive positive change and create a prosperous future for businesses and residents alike,” added Huberman.
BACKGROUND:
Why is the city budget important to Surrey’s business organization?
1. To ensure that investments for Surrey’s business community are created for our local economy – for today and for the future. The Surrey Board of Trade wants a safe city, an affordable city, a vibrant city, an interconnected and inclusive city, and a city that fosters innovation.
2. The Surrey Board of Trade is mandated to review and make recommendations on government budgets to instigate change and share ideas to better our economy to ensure businesses thrive in an environment where they and their employees can live, learn, work and play. The Surrey Board of Trade monitors public sector spending to maximize growth and productivity in the economy and support for the private sector and livability organizations.
3. The Surrey Board of Trade is a visible organization responsible for advocating on behalf of the views and best interests of our membership. The Surrey Board of Trade is a partner in building Surrey into an Opportunity City.
4. The city budget is important to the Surrey Board of Trade to ensure Surrey’s tax rates encourage business growth/retention and infrastructure investments.
5. The Surrey Board of Trade understands and works on meeting the aspirations of Surrey in the face of significant internal and external pressures. We want the City of Surrey to continue to have a sustainable financial framework for municipal services and city building investments involving both revenue and expense measures.
Anita Huberman is the President & CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade
