March 10, 2026
RED FM News Desk
Surrey City Council officially ratified a 2.6 per cent property tax increase during a meeting on Monday night. Civic leaders stated that the balanced budget is designed to pave the way for critical urban development projects and provide the necessary financial runway for the city’s ongoing police transition.
According to Surrey’s Finance Manager, Kam Grewal, the 2.6 per cent hike translates to an approximately $75 annual increase for the average single-family home. The measure is expected to generate $14.36 million in new revenue, which will be directed toward offsetting inflationary pressures and funding essential city operations, including fire services, bylaw enforcement, and public safety. Additionally, residents will see a nearly 3 per cent rise in user fees for secondary services such as water and sewage.
A significant portion of the 2026 budget is dedicated to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), with $284.5 million earmarked to accelerate the transition from the RCMP. This represents a $45 million increase over the 2025 allocation. Despite the approval, the police budget saw opposition from Councillors Mike Bose and Linda Annis, who argued that the funding still falls short of the resources requested by the department to operate effectively.
The budget’s passage was met with sharp political friction ahead of the upcoming civic elections. Councillor Linda Annis criticized Mayor Brenda Locke, claiming the average Surrey family has seen their tax burden rise by $1,500 during the Mayor’s term. Annis pledged that if she is elected Mayor this October, there will be no tax increases in 2027. Conversely, Councillor Doug Elford defended the budget, calling the increase “modest” and vital for the infrastructure of a rapidly growing city.
In a separate move to address the housing crisis, Council also granted approval for a massive residential project in the downtown core. The development features seven high-rise and five mid-rise towers, which will eventually add 2,705 new dwellings to the city’s housing stock.
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