| Metro Vancouver to Review Services and Find Cost Efficiencies in Upcoming 2026 Budget | Metro Vancouver to Review Services and Find Cost Efficiencies in Upcoming 2026 Budget | | <div class="ExternalClassC86DD4A0994B41AEA819CD275EE072F1"><p>Beginning in January 2025, Metro Vancouver will undertake a review of its services and look for additional cost efficiencies as part of its budgeting and strategic planning process.<br></p><p>“We know that affordability is the top concern of residents in this region, and cost efficiency is my most important priority as Chair,” said Mike Hurley, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors. “While we must ensure Metro Vancouver infrastructure and services are meeting the needs of our rapidly growing population, we also want to take the time to evaluate the work and ensure that we’re meeting our mandate while respecting the interests of our ratepayers.”</p><p>On Friday, November 29, the Board approved a motion from Chair Hurley directing staff to report back in early 2025 with potential operational cost savings by department, including details of financial and service implications for any potential revisions. This work will be integrated into an early start on the budgeting process, and will create an opportunity for the Board to identify cost efficiencies.</p><p>“Metro Vancouver’s services are foundational to quality of life in this region,” continued Hurley. “We will continue to meet our responsibility to protect human and environmental health through our various roles — as a regional district, as a water, sewerage, and solid waste utility, and as one of the largest providers of non-market rental housing in BC — and we’ll meet it with careful consideration of how we budget and spend.” </p><p>The recently passed 2025 budget took measures to reduce financial impacts on ratepayers. On average, residents will pay $875 for all of Metro Vancouver’s services ($73 per month) in 2025. The 2026 budget process will begin in January 2025, and the review will help guide core decisions related to the 2026 budget and the next five-year financial plan. </p><p>Following his re-election for 2025, Chair Hurley is continuing with his commitment to complete a governance review, which will explore the way the Metro Vancouver Board makes decisions, receives and shares information, and any potential efficiencies that could be explored through provincial legislation. The independent performance review of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Project is also underway now and will continue into 2025.<br></p><p><br></p></div> | 12/5/2024 8:00:00 AM | | Metro Vancouver Media Relations | media@metrovancouver.org | | |