Sooke council is continuing its quest for a new budget, as the district voted to cap the budget increase at just over 15 per cent.
“This is a lean and mean budget,” said Coun. Jeff Bateman.
“It’s very hard to look at anything less than the recommended amount.”
Council was presented with four budget options, each centred around tax increases ranging from 9.99 per cent to 15.29 per cent, with staff recommending the highest increase.
“Council understands that this year’s tax increase is notable, and we remain mindful of the financial pressures facing our residents. We do not take this decision lightly,” said Mayor Maja Tait.
“Our priority is ensuring the long-term financial stability of our community while continuing to invest in essential services, public safety, and infrastructure. By taking a responsible and measured approach to financial planning, we are working to balance affordability with the delivery of quality services that support Sooke’s growing needs.”
Council unanimously voted to raise taxes by no more than 15.29 per cent, which would bring an increase of $236.22 for the average home. The increase is $81.84 more than what residents would have seen under a 9.99 per cent tax hike.
“This choice allows us to adequately fund the RCMP, E-Comm and then moves us away from using reserves for operations,” a Sooke staff member told council.
Under the new budget proposal, tax increases are expected to annually decline in coming years, falling as low as 3.37 per cent in 2029, as the Sooke grows. For context, a one per cent tax increase in Sooke generates $123,000 for the district, whereas in a more populous municipality like Saanich, a one per cent increase will generate $1.75 million
“While recent years have required significant investments, our focus remains on stabilizing future tax rates to maintain the services and infrastructure our residents rely on,” said Tait.
In each budget scenario RCMP costs account for 5.55 per cent of the increase. Asset management represents two per cent while district operating costs represent 5.38 per cent. E-Comm, a 911 dispatch service that several south Island communities will now be required to fund, accounts for 2.35 per cent of the budget increase.
Tait and other regional mayors have stated they will not contribute payment to E-Comm until several commitments are made by the provincial government, citing it as an unacceptable financial burden.
“In the face of economic uncertainty driven by potential U.S. tariffs and broader economic challenges, expecting local governments and their taxpayers to shoulder these costs is both unreasonable and unsustainable,” stated the letter addressed to Premier David Eby, signed by 10 island mayors.
While council ultimately opted for the most expensive option to residents, it was also viewed as the safest as other proposals would have required additional funds to be drawn from Sooke's police and COVID-19 reserves, potentially exhausting the police reserve in the case of the two least expensive budget scenarios.
Residents will have the opportunity to learn more and speak on the new budget at a community budget open house on Wednesday, April 2 from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be opportunities to participate in the meeting online, for information go to letstalk.sooke.ca/budget.
