Supplemental Plan
TransLink prepared a 2013 Supplemental Plan in response to the Mayors' Council request to remove the time-limited property tax from the 2013 Base Plan. The supplemental plan was approved by the TransLink Board on March 18, 2013, reviewed by the Commissioner and passed by the Mayors' Council April 17, 2013.
The time-limited property tax was an increase of $30 million per year from property tax that would have been collected in 2013 and 2014. While Supplemental Plans are typically used to propose additional funding sources, in this case it removes funding. TransLink is able to remove this temporary funding without immediate impacts to our customers. Our focus on operating efficiently and cutting costs allows us to maintain current services and implement new services for 2013 and 2014, as outlined in the Base Plan, without implementing the time-limited property tax. At this time we're unable to further expand the transportation system, and will continue to manage ongoing financial risk.
Read our FAQs to learn more about the planning process and the time-limited property tax.
From March 1 until March 15, 2013, an online questionnaire was available to provide feedback on our draft supplemental plan. Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill it out! Check out our Consultation Report to read about the results and find out what you told us.
FAQs
Q: What is the time-limited property tax?
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| A: In 2011, the TransLink Board and Mayors' Council approved the "Moving Forward" 2012 Supplemental Plan and Outlook. This included an expansion program that would be funded through two cents of additional fuel tax and a new revenue source to provide an additional $30 million per year in funding. To ensure TransLink could continue to move forward with some of the 2012 Moving Forward Plan, the time-limited property tax increase was approved for 2013 and 2014, which would be implemented only if a new funding source had not been identified by 2013. |
Q: Why are you developing a supplemental plan that removes the time-limited property tax?
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A: A new $30 million per year funding source has not yet been identified and the Mayors have requested that TransLink, remove this temporary funding from our plans. Decisions on funding rest with elected officials and therefore we respect this request of the Mayors’ Council.
In accordance with our legislation the 2013 Base Plan assumed that the time-limited property tax would be implemented. Removing a revenue source from our finances requires a supplemental plan to be approved by the Mayors’ Council.
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Q: Am I paying for this time-limited property tax now?
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A: No. If the Supplemental Plan is passed before May 1 the time-limited property tax will not be implemented.
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Q: Will TransLink's current share of my property tax continue to be collected?
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| A: Yes. Property-tax is an important and stable funding source for TransLink. It is TransLink’s third largest revenue source (after transit fares and fuel tax). Property tax is used to fund transportation improvements on the basis that all property owners derive benefits, including increased property values, from a strong regional transportation system. |
Q: Without this additional funding, will my service be impacted?
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| A: We have been focused on operating efficiently and cutting costs. This has allowed TransLink to remove the time-limited property tax while maintaining existing services and implementing the projects outlined in the 2013 Base Plan. However, we will not be able to further expand the system at this time and will need to continue to manage ongoing financial risk. |
Q: Which new services are going ahead?
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A: As outlined in our 2013 Base Plan, the Evergreen Line, station upgrades at seven Expo Line SkyTrain stations and some service expansion, including the new 555 express bus service over the Port Mann Bridge and King George Boulevard B-Line service, are moving ahead.
There is no funding for expansion beyond what's outlined in the 2013 Base Plan, including the outstanding projects from the 2012 Moving Forward Plan: increasing bus service, extending SeaBus service on Sundays and holidays, fully implementing the Highway 1 rapid bus project, extending the King George Boulevard
B-Line to White Rock, and restoring funding for cycling and roads.
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For more information, please contact:
Vincent Gonsalves
Community Relations Coordinator
TransLink
604.453.3043