Tuesday April 18, 2023 | SOOKE, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
After receiving input from the community and Council conducting their service-level review, the District of Sooke has prepared their 2023-2027 five-year financial plan.
Tomorrow night — Wednesday April 19 — the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the District’s budget, during a drop-in open house from 2 pm to 7 pm. That’s being held at District of Sooke municipal hall, 2205 Otter Point Road.
Anyone with questions ahead of time may email to budget@sooke.ca.
Proposed increase of 6.99%:
The plan identifies a property tax increase of approximately $100 per year for district services or about 6.99% higher than last year.
That increase is based on the average residential property assessment, or $8.33 per month for 2023.
Key projects in 2023 and 2024:
Key projects as outlined by the District of Sooke include:
- Increased police and fire resources to decrease call response times;
- Charters Corridor Capital Project;
- Church Road Roundabout Capital Project;
- Little River Crossing (DeMamiel Creek Pedestrian Bridge) Capital Project;
- Ravens Ridge Park Recreation Amenities Capital Project including an accessible viewing area with seating and picnic tables, accessible parking, bleachers, small multi-purpose grass playing fields, 3 on 3 basketball court, and considerable landscaping;
- Road maintenance; and
- Streetlight and transit stop improvements.
Capital project works will span from 2023 to 2024, the municipality says.
Public drop-in April 19:
The public is invited to learn more about the District’s budget and the work planned for the year ahead at a Community Open House taking place at Sooke Municipal Hall, 2205 Otter Point Road, on Wednesday April 19, 2023 from 2 to 7 pm.
Cost pressures:
“Everyone is facing cost pressures and Council is looking to reduce the financial impact on residents while still responding to the needs of a growing community,” said Mayor Maja Tait as she spoke to the budget earlier this year during Council’s service-level review.
“Where we’re hearing numerous municipalities are sitting at an increase that would cost households two-to-three times, even more, keeping a district property increase in line with inflation and below $100 is a priority,” said Tait in a news release today.
Why attend:
Sooke residents are encouraged to attend the drop-in information session. The District gives these reasons why:
- Understand how your tax dollars are invested
- Learn more about how your local government operates to support your day-to-day needs
- Gain knowledge about the limitations of the District’s budget
- Ask questions of staff and get to know the people of the organization
- Enjoy light refreshments
===== DISTRICT of SOOKE BUDGET LINKS:
- Let’s Talk Budget: letstalk.sooke.ca/budget
- 2023 Budget Information Brief
- Financial Planning Information Page
- Budget 2023 Update (March 23, 2023): Council Reduces District Property Tax Increase (of Budget Under Development) By 2.35%
- Budget 2023 Update (February 24, 2023): Initial Consideration Given to Police and Fire Staff Resources, and Climate Action
- Budget 2023 Update (February 17, 2023): Citizen Budget Survey – What We Heard Report Now Available
===== RECENT ARTICLES ABOUT SOOKE:
Three provincial electoral areas for west shore (April 18, 2023)
Community drop-in about Sooke budget (April 12, 2023)
Blink Rapid Bus 95 now serving West Shore to downtown (April 11, 2023)
Mental Health and Addictions minister in Langford about SD62 substance use reduction pilot-project (April 11, 2023)
Sooke community shows up for Hannah Day Playground sign unveiling (March 31, 2023)
Seismic upgrades or more for SD62 school in Port Renfrew (March 31, 2023)
Horgan in Sooke for his last constituency speech, announces big health-care prize (March 18, 2023)