The business of running the City of Vancouver isn’t like a popcorn stand.

It’s a $1-billion enterprise, and a report prepared by finance director Patrice Impey for a February 28 meeting by council outlines where precious taxpayer dollars are going to be used this year.

Impey is asking council to approve in principle a $1.1 billion operating budget for 2012.

The money is going to be split eight ways, with the Vancouver Police Department getting the biggest share.

The VPD will receive at least 20 percent, or a net expenditure of $213 million. That’s an increase of $7.8 million from 2011.

According to the report, the rest of the budget will be divided as follows:

• Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service: $88 million, down by $200,000 from 2011.

• Vancouver Public Library: $38.5 million, up by $500,000.

• Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation: $55.9 million, up by $200,000.

• Community Services Group: $47.8 million, up by $200,000.

• Engineering Services: $65.1 million, up by $500,000.

• Support Services (this includes the Office of the Mayor and Council): $101.3 million, up by $800,000.

• Water, Sewer, Solid Waste, and Neighbourhood Energy Utilities: $30.5 million, up by $1.3 million.

According to Impey’s report, the $1.1 billion in revenues expected for 2012 represent a 3.1 percent raise over 2011.

The 3.1 percent growth in revenues will come from a 2.5 percent property tax increase, new construction revenues, fee increases, and a 7.9 percent increase in utility revenues, and water utility rate increases that were approved by council in December 2011.

The 2.5 percent property tax hike will generate $15 million. More than half of this, or $8.2 million, will go to the police department.