The council explored a range of options, including the formation of a new Metropolitan Parks District (MPD) serving the city of Vancouver – and assessing a new property tax levy of between 25 cents and 53 cents per $1,000 Assessed Value (AV) – a rate still to be decided.
If passed by voters in November 2012, the MPD would begin collecting new revenues in 2014 and allow the city to restore some previously cut parks and recreation services, begin to address deferred maintenance, and better preserve existing parks and recreation facilities, the city said. In addition, by establishing a dedicated funding source through a new MPD, the city would be in a better position to re-allocate funding previously used for parks and recreation to support other city services, such as public safety and streets over the next six years.
The Vancouver City Council has discussed the possibility of forming a MPD for two years, and it was a recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Commission on parks in 2011.
Over the last several years, the City of Vancouver has cut more than $31 million from its budget, impacting all departments and services.
