Central Saanich’s Draft 2024 Financial Plan lays out the District’s plans for 2024 as well as looking ahead through to 2028. The plan finances for the District’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan as well as its regular operations, ambitiously responding to community feedback with modest impact to taxpayers. It's now published, and we want your input!
Overview
The budget, which is balanced at $60.6 million, funds the municipality’s service plan, dictating whether services are maintained at existing levels or not and how many new projects can be addressed given factors such as tax impacts, staff resourcing and grants.
Just maintaining existing levels of service costs more each year, particularly given rising construction costs; however the District has been successful in receiving more than $7 million in grants in 2023, investments have performed well, and new housing is able to help reduce the impact of the budget on taxpayers. The plan also aligns projects to create efficiencies—for example, planning to build a bike lane when a watermain replacement project is underway and road work is required.
2024 Draft Financial Plan highlights
Central Saanich is in a stable financial position with modest population growth and a focus on a steady program of service improvements, effective fiscal management and long-term financial strategies
The District’s draft 2024 budget is balanced at $60.6 million, approximately half of which funds general operations
2024 marks almost the halfway point in the District’s 15-year plan to increase the funding put aside each year for replacement of aging infrastructure ($29 increase to the average home in 2024)
The District starts a four-year plan in 2024 to invest $10.4 million (over four years) and accelerate the implementation of active transportation infrastructure between Brentwood and Saanichton, and Saanichton and Lochside Drive.
The 2024 draft property tax increase for the year, based on the average home, is $185, approximately $15 per month. The increase includes the following new annual funding based on the average home: $38 for police operations, $41 for infrastructure, including active transportation, $100 for municipal operations and $6 for library services
The plan eliminates existing business license renewal fees, further supporting the lowest business tax rates in the region.
The plan also addresses the need for increased staffing to deliver strategic projects
Read the budget here
LetsTalkCentralSaanich.ca/Budget2024
Or stop by and read a copy at Municipal Hall.
How to share your thoughts on the budget
- Please submit questions or feedback to communications@csaanich.ca or by phoning 250-544-4204.
- Attend a Council meeting - see below
Council meetings are being broadcast live and livestreamed on the District’s website. Residents who wish to speak or make a submission to Council can email municipalhall@csaanich.ca or call 250.652.4444 for information on how to participate in the meetings. The public can also email feedback to Council directly or have it published as part of the agenda package by emailing municipalhall@csaanich.ca.
Council budget meetings
Monday, March 4, 6:30 p.m. Budget Introduction and Operations presentation
Monday, March 18, 6:30 p.m. Capital Plan and Strategic Implementation Plan
The municipal budget makes up approximately half of property tax bills; the other half is collected for regional agencies; property tax notices are mailed in late May.