Municipal Operations
The District of Central Saanich provides a wide range of municipal services to the community. Please click on the departments below to learn more.
Our administration team assists in carrying out Council’s key objectives by directing business operations and enabling an open, inclusive, and participatory municipal government. Overseen by the Chief Administrative Officer, the department provides:
- corporate management;
- council support;
- strategic planning;
- communications;
- legislative services, including Council and Committee agendas and minutes;
- elections and public assent processes;
- corporate records management; and
- freedom of information and protection of privacy.
Bylaw Enforcement works with citizens to maintain a healthy and safe environment to meet the expectations of the community. Staff investigate and enforce municipal bylaws according to Council policy. The majority of cases involve land use regulations, nuisance bylaws, building standards, business licencing or contracted services for animal control. This division also serves as the Business Licence Inspector.
Community Services is responsible for ensuring the safe and uninterrupted operation of 25 district facilities, including the municipal hall, police station and two fire halls. A variety of community and heritage buildings, such as West Saanich School, the Newman Farm buildings, public washrooms, and two park residences are also managed. The recently completed Facilities Long-term Asset Management Plan will provide a roadmap for sustainable facility maintenance and equipment replacement for the next 20 years.
The team is also responsible for 37 parks and open space areas, as well as providing staff support for heritage related and District sponsored special events. All recreation activities are administered by Panorama Recreation.
Engineering and Public Works are responsible for all municipal infrastructure, which includes:
- transportation systems: roads, bridges, traffic signals, streetlights, street signs, sidewalks, bus shelters, and roadside litter control;
- drainage systems: storm drainage infrastructure including 32 kilometers of creeks, 73 kilometres of storm sewers, and 120 kilometres of drainage ditches;
- parks: 37 parks, trails, playgrounds, and naturalized green spaces;
- sanitary sewer collection systems: sewer main repair and replacement; sewer lift station maintenance; and
- water supply systems: water main and service repair and replacement, hydrant exercising, valve and meter maintenance, water sample testing, and the maintenance of pressure regulating stations.
In addition, Engineering processes, approves and inspects of all works installed by private developers that become municipal property, including:
- design and construction of roads, sidewalks, traffic control measures, drainage, sanitary sewers, and water mains, and planning of future servicing requirements;
- review and inspection of subdivision developments;
- responding to queries with respect to municipal servicing requirements from consultants, contractors, developers, and residents; and
- issuing soil deposit and removal permits, tree cutting permits in areas susceptible to soil erosion, driveway access permits, and permits to work within municipal road allowance.
Finance provides financial support services and is responsible for the overall financial management of the municipality, payroll and benefits support and the purchase of all goods and services. A full range of accounting and payroll services are provided, including:
- accounting audit and budgeting of annual expenses and revenues;
- cash management of investments;
- accounts payable processing;
- billing and collection of all revenues, including property taxes, utility bills, dog licences, business licences, and a variety of other fees and charges,
- producing utility bills, tax notices, dog licences, and business licences; and
- purchasing support services.
Finance also manages the provision of fiscal services, including debt servicing costs, interest charges, transfers to reserves and contingency. Long term financial planning, asset management, equipment replacement planning, insurance support and policy development are just some of the many other services provided.
The Central Saanich Volunteer Fire Department provides many services to our community, including:
- emergency fire and rescue response,
- safety education,
- fire prevention programs,
- hazardous material response,
- first responder medical aid,
- structural firefighting for residential, commercial and industrial properties,
- medical first responder coverage supplementing the BC Ambulance Service,
- confined space rescue service,
- hazardous material response,
- high angle rope tescue,
- fire inspection and fire code enforcement, and
- managing the Central Saanich Emergency Program.
These services are also provided under a servicing agreement to both Tsawout and Tsartlip First Nations Lands.
The prime responsibility of this division is to ensure neighbourhood and municipal objectives and policies in the Central Saanich Official Community Plan Bylaw are reflected in development which occurs in the municipality.
Planning provides Council and committees with professional and technical advice on current and future land uses, and developing policy on items concerning housing, heritage, environment, energy efficiency, transportation, and agricultural land use.
Staff manage a variety of permit processes, including development permit and development variance permits, rezoning and Official Community Plan amendments, temporary use permits, Agricultural Land Reserve applications, environmental development permits, protected tree cutting permits and subdivision proposals. Planning staff also maintain municipal property records and respond to a myriad of property-related questions from owners, prospective investors, builders, and various construction and development professionals.
Building Inspections staff regulates building construction, administer the BC Building Code, and monitor construction relating to Building, Plumbing, Business Licence, and Sign Permit applications.
The Central Saanich Police Service is a municipal police agency committed to excellence in policing. The Service enhances the quality of life in Central Saanich by preserving peace, preventing crime, and protecting life and property.
Technology manages a wide variety of computer and technology services for the municipality, including:
- around-the-clock coverage for the District;
- a geographically dispersed voice and data network system;
- specialized support for the Police and Fire Services;
- computer workstations and mobile computers;
- a networked phone system and smart phones; and
- software products.
