There has been a lot of talk of big projects in Saanich with this latest council; total redesign of neighbourhoods like Quadra/McKenzie, Tillicum and the Cedar Hill corridor (with Gordon Head likely next on the radar); bike lanes that do not get used (except for maybe two to three months a year). And now, we have the shiny new Saanich Operations Centre (SOC).
Let’s talk about the true cost of the SOC project. Saanich is seeking approval by way of alternative approval process (AAP) to borrow up to $150 million for this project. The Saanich website notes the project will cost $172 million. On the SOC website FAQs, they say the cost to taxpayers is only $40.80 per household per year for four years by way of property tax, water, sewer, and solid waste increases (so roughly $8 million assuming 50,000 households in Saanich). Well, that might cover costs during the construction period, but not the repayment of the $150 million borrowing.
They also only talk about residential property tax increases – what about commercial? Commercial property taxes are usually two to three times higher than residential. Commercial increases could be passed on to residents by way of higher product/service costs.
Don’t get me wrong, we need a new operations centre (or at least some improvements). Some of the existing buildings look sketchy, dated and in need of some serious repair or replacement. But fiscal responsibility remains important in a time of high inflation, especially when Saanich council approves property tax increases above current inflation numbers.
Council already failed recently with the $25 million purchase of the Lochside facility for what is believed to be over fair market value. Let’s put this huge decision for the new SOC to a referendum in October 2026, when Saanich residents are already going to the polls, rather than using the flawed AAP process.
Currently, the Saanich Fire Hall #2 replacement is on the go. Word is that the police station is nearing time for replacement. And now, the operations centre. At what point will Saanich council tax residents out of their homes to pay for these shiny symbols of “look at what I did during my time on council?”
Saanich council needs to take a hard look at what residents need vs. what council wants. We need fiscal restraint from council and to have a council that shows true leadership by living within our means.
Tony Moniz
Saanich
