The District of Central Saanich's 2019 Financial Plan has been finalized. We thank you for your input as we worked to create a plan that maintains an exceptional community with the minimal necessary tax increase.
The District is committed to ensuring financial stability, which is fundamental to the health of the community. Only with stable and sufficient revenues, and careful planning of expenditures, will we be able to provide important services that residents need and enjoy.
This year, in addition to maintaining services to our growing community, the budget includes new expenditures.
- Paying the new Employer Health Tax
- Investing in public safety
- Putting away for future infrastructure replacement
This is a 4.3% increase on property taxes to the average homeowner. This is higher than the District would normally like to see a tax increase, but 2019 is a challenging year from many municipalities due to the new expenditures for the Province's Employer Health Tax and the increasing cost of public safety.
Some of the projects included in this year’s budget include:
- A program of capital projects, including an extended pathway on Mount Newton, a pedestrian-activated crosswalk on Stelly’s Cross Road, Maber Flats Drainage improvements and a variety of road work.
- Climate action projects, including a net-zero solar demonstration project at Fire Station 1, electrifying the light-duty fleet and bringing Modo cars (a car-share program) to the District.
- Continued progress toward reaching a sustainable funding model for infrastructure replacement (outlined in the Sustainable Asset Management Plan).
- Investments in public safety, the emergency program and fire service response.
- An economic development partnership with the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
Did you know?
49% of the total amount of your tax bill is collected on behalf of other agencies, such as for the CRD, schools, BC Transit, BC Assessment Authority and Municipal Finance Authority.