The City of Delta is comprised of departments, each of which takes on various roles and duties in the servicing of residents and businesses in Delta.
The City of Delta is comprised of departments, each of which takes on various roles and duties in the servicing of residents and businesses in Delta.
The Office of the Mayor is responsible for daily administration of the Mayor’s duties including, working closely with Delta Council and the City Manager to carry out Council policy and initiatives, and coordinating meetings with government officials on issues important to Delta. The Mayor’s Office also organizes ceremonies, oversees protocol, and coordinates the Mayor’s participation in Council meetings, community events, business initiatives, and communication with residents.
As an elected representative of the City, the Mayor presides as Chair at Council meetings and acts as the key spokesperson for the City. The Mayor works closely with Council to set a course of action and charts goals for the safety, health, well-being, and success of the City.
The Office of the City Manager is appointed by and responsible to Mayor and Council for the efficient management of the City workforce and ensuring that Council directions and policies are carried out. All of Delta’s departments as well as the areas of Corporate Communications and Legal Services report directly to the Office of the City Manager.
The Office of the City Manager is responsible for the daily administration of the City and in this capacity, ensures the delivery of high quality services in a timely, responsible and cost effective manner. The City Manager provides leadership and sets the overall strategic direction for short and long-term corporate goals and initiatives. When the City’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is activated, the City Manager is the EOC Director, responsible for making primary decisions and managing the City’s emergency response.
Corporate Communications keeps the public informed of City news and announcements via the City website and social media channels. This team also provides support and advice to other departments on communications planning, public engagement, issues management, media relations, and graphics services.
The Community Planning Department is a team of planning and policy professionals who provide planning and policy services to the City of Delta. These services include work under the portfolios of housing, the Official Community Plan, agricultural and environmental planning, bylaws and policy updates, and special planning projects.
The Community Planning Department provides advice to Council on a range of bylaws and policy considerations related to community planning. Staff in the Community Planning Department work with demographic data and community input to develop policies and plans to guide decision-making around land use in Delta. The Community Planning Department also supports other departments, most notably the Development Department, through the establishment of future land use plans and associated strategies for the sustainable growth and development of the community.
The Corporate Services Department supports key initiatives, interdepartmental matters, and core deliverables of the City. Corporate Services consists of four separate but inter-related sections:
Corporate Policy oversees corporate initiatives and intergovernmental projects and programs. This section is responsible for coordinating Delta’s business planning services and bylaw development, organizing municipal representation and policy briefings for the Union of BC Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, collaboration with Indigenous peoples, and Federal and Provincial Ministers; as well as the implementation of economic development incentives and the promotion of tourism services in Delta.
Social Planning is responsible for implementing Delta’s Social Action Plan, including developing collaborative community initiatives to promote healthy, safe and resilient neighbourhoods, encourage youth and seniors to be active and engaged, address issues around homelessness, poverty, mental health and the drug toxicity crisis, and make Delta an inclusive and accessible place for all.
Climate Action and Environment is responsible for ensuring that the environmental values of the City are enhanced and protected through environmental management, education, restoration and enhancement of natural areas including Burns Bog, enforcement, bylaw development, building and development plan reviews and environmental assessments. This group also investigates complaints regarding spills, odours, pest problems, industrial noise and contaminated site issues, and delivers seasonal programs such as mosquito and invasive plant control.
Legal Services provides legal advice and risk management services to Council and staff.
The Lands Management division manages the City’s real property portfolio and provides advice and services to other departments in respect of land-related matters such as statutory rights of way, park expansion and strategic acquisitions and dispositions.
On Saturday, October 15, 2022, Delta residents will vote to elect 1 mayor, 6 city councillors, and 7 school trustees. Once elected, the mayor, city councillors and school trustees will serve a four-year term.
Every Canadian citizen has the right to vote, and a cornerstone of democracy is free and fair elections. Canadians have the power to choose officials that best represent them by way of voting. Your vote matters as those elected to serve on Delta City Council make decisions on services that impact Deltans’ daily lives such as parks, recreation programs, animal and bylaw services, waste and organics collection, land development, and police and fire services. The Delta Board of Education makes decisions on maintaining a school system that reflects local priorities by setting plans, policies and an annual budget.
The Community Planning and Development Department works together with the community to establish future land use plans and associated strategies, and to foster sustainable growth and development that provides a variety of housing choices, employment opportunities, and amenities for residents and visitors alike. The Department provides advice to Council on a wide range of policy and regulatory bylaws, strategies, and development applications. The Department also provides application services and support, building approvals and inspection services for the public and to developers.
The Application Centre provides an efficient and proactive “one stop” customer service for building permits, development applications and general enquiries. The Application Centre tracks building statistics and provides information to the public, other departments and external agencies regarding Delta’s bylaws and policies.
Planning and Development Services prepares Delta’s Official Community Plan, Delta’s Zoning Bylaw, and other regulatory bylaws, as well as various strategies and policies on related topics like housing, heritage, and agriculture. Staff work closely with the development community, other departments and external agencies, and the public to process rezoning, subdivision and other development applications and make recommendations to Council regarding land development.
The Building Approvals section reviews construction drawings for all types of buildings and structures prior to issuing building permits, conducts inspections, and gives advice on building related matters. Building Approvals works in cooperation with other departments, provincial authorities, and in partnership with the applicants to ensure the design and construction of buildings meet standards for health, safety, fire protection, accessibility, and city zoning.
The Engineering Department provides a range of public works services in the areas of transportation, water, sewer, drainage, irrigation, solid waste and recycling. The Department also maintains the corporate fleet that includes trucks and construction-related equipment. The Engineering Department includes the following divisions:
Administrative and Customer Services manages the City’s switchboard and reception services and provides customer service support, including processing service requests and preparing public permits related to highway use, tree cutting, lawn watering, hydrant use, special events, and filming.
Design and Construction is responsible for the annual capital infrastructure upgrade program, along with design drafting and corporate survey services, including construction lay-out and record surveys.
Operations represents the outside City workforce responsible for providing a range of public works, maintenance and construction services, including horticultural and tree services, parks/sports field maintenance, and snow and ice control.
Land Development and Special Projects liaises with external agencies regarding the delivery of key engineering infrastructure projects and administers engineering requirements for land developments and building permit projects.
Transportation provides planning, management and replacement programs for City transportation infrastructure and related facilities, and plans and budgets for the Neighbourhood Road Improvements Plan.
Utilities provides long-range planning, management and replacement programs for water, sewer, drainage, irrigation and flood protection, and delivers solid waste and recycling services.
The Finance Department is responsible for providing efficient, effective and responsible financial management services in a customer-focused environment to the public, City Council and departments. The Finance Department consists of the following divisions:
Budgets and Taxation coordinates the preparation of Delta’s annual operating and capital budgets, and manages the City’s investment portfolio. This division is responsible for the billing and collection of utilities and property taxes, as well as the invoicing and collection of other City revenues.
Financial Services maintains the general ledger, processes financial transactions, provides financial reporting for all departments, and processes payments. This area is responsible for overseeing purchasing for the City, including buying services and goods and controlling the inventory of purchased goods.
Information Services implements, manages, supports and upgrades computer applications, corporate websites, personal computers and printers, central processing infrastructure, data-centre, data and voice networks, telephone systems and security systems.
Published financial documents can be found on the Municipal Information page under the Finance Information section.
Delta Fire & Emergency Services provides 24-hour emergency response, fire inspection services, public education on fire issues, and emergency planning to Delta’s public, business and community facilities. Delta Fire & Emergency Services consists of the following divisions:
Finance, Administration & Training supplies human resources administration and payroll support for Fire & Emergency Services personnel and supports the Fire Chief, and Delta’s Finance and Human Resources Departments with the annual budget and labour management relations.
Operations & Apparatus/Equipment provides direction, accountability and support to the operations of Delta Fire & Emergency Services, including radio communications and all purchases related to vehicles, equipment and facilities.
Protection Services is responsible for meeting objectives through public education of fire safety and emergency preparedness. This division directs emergency planning and fire prevention, and manages crew inspection of properties in accordance with Delta bylaws and the BC Fire Code, fire investigations, and building pre-planning.
The Emergency Management Office ensures the City is prepared for an emergency or natural disaster. The Office is responsible for organizing emergency preparedness training exercises for City staff, external support agencies, and the public, while supporting and promoting volunteer-based emergency management programs and initiatives. The Office also prepares local businesses for continuity and recovery in the event of an emergency, and works with Delta School District to ensure students are prepared.
The Human Resources Department is responsible for providing support and guidance to Delta staff, Mayor and Council and the public on all employment related topics.
Human Resources is responsible for developing and managing corporate programs that support the City and impact employees, including: recruitment and selection, labour relations, collective bargaining, training and development, occupational health and safety, health and wellness, compensation and benefits.
The Office of the City Clerk provides the primary communications link between Council, staff and the community, including the responsibility for the preparation of agendas and minutes for Council and Committee meetings. The Office is the primary access point for citizens and outside agencies wishing to interact with Council.
The Office of the City Clerk provides administrative and clerical support to Council, staff and the public. The Office prepares Council and Committee meeting agendas, records official minutes, administers and certifies bylaws and executes legal documents on behalf of Delta. The Office of the City Clerk also conducts elections, coordinates advertising and requests under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and provides information and records management services.
The Parks, Recreation & Culture Department develops, coordinates and delivers parks, recreation and culture services, events, and programs that encourage active participation for all ages and ability levels.
Parks, Recreation & Culture provides recreational activities and a wide range of instructional programs through City-operated facilities, including pools, arenas, arts, seniors and fitness centres. The Department manages over 340,000 square feet of recreational facilities, oversees Delta’s Emergency Social Services and Leisure Access Assistance programs, and coordinates the direction and operations for parks and open spaces, including sports fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, community gardens, cemeteries, trails, boat launches and more.
Parks, Recreation & Culture promotes awareness and interest in healthy lifestyles through participation in recreational activities and volunteer opportunities and works closely with community groups, service clubs and not-for-profit organizations to enhance community services. The Department also delivers countless community events throughout Delta, such as the Boundary Bay Airshow, Canada Day, Tour de Delta, and the Luminary Festival.
The Delta Police Department follows a “no call too small” philosophy in their duties to deliver top quality policing and public safety services to the citizens of Delta. Delta Police embraces a customer-focused approach to policing that is solutions-based, community-centered and data-driven. The Delta Police Department was one of the first municipal police departments created in British Columbia, founded in 1888.
The Delta Police Department offers a wide variety of programs and services and strives to protect vulnerable populations, prevent crime and hold offenders accountable. Along with traditional specialized sections including Traffic, School Liaison, Emergency Planning, Community Police Stations and Vulnerable Sector Units, Delta Police has enhanced its services to vulnerable members of the community including immigrants and refugees, seniors, at-risk youth and those suffering from mental illness.
Delta Police is dedicated to ensuring crime rates stay low, roads are safe, and that anyone who calls for help will receive top quality service. The Delta Police Department is administered by the Delta Police Board.
The Property Use and Compliance division is responsible for the enforcement of bylaws adopted by Mayor and Council and for the City’s animal control services. Other duties include the issuing and enforcement of business licences, and soil deposit and removal permits.
The Bylaw Enforcement Section initiates investigations and responds to citizen complaints related to bylaw contraventions. Bylaw enforcement endeavors to resolve complaints through education and voluntary compliance wherever possible.
The Delta Community Animal Shelter is responsible for animal control services in Delta. Each year, staff and volunteers provide care, treatment and adoption for hundreds of abandoned, mistreated or surrendered animals.