The District of Sechelt is looking for input on the 2019 budget before council gets a chance to weigh in on Feb. 13.
A draft budget was presented to council in mid-December, and director of finance Doug Stewart said not much has changed at this stage.
The draft budget anticipates a property tax increase of 11.8 per cent, based on a three per cent increase to raise about $255,000 for “tangible capital asset repair, refurbishment and replacement” and an 8.81 per cent increase for other spending.
Residents will have a chance for their say through an e-Town Hall on Jan. 17.
Some of the biggest items driving the increase are the proposed addition of three new staff positions – a facilities coordinator, a development engineer and a building inspector – at a cost of $304,193 in salaries and benefits, and a $330,878 increase in the cost of pay and benefits for existing staff.
Stewart said Sechelt is not among the many B.C. communities facing an increase in costs because of the new Employer Health Tax that will replace MSP premiums.
“It had practically no impact,” Stewart said. “For us it happens to be the same amount of money under both schemes.”
There are also several spending options that are currently not incorporated into the draft budget, such as increased funding for the library, a new procurement clerk position at the district, a contribution to the public art reserve and additional work at the Sechelt Marsh.
Douglas said the draft budget is built on the principle of maintaining current service levels, so he’s hoping that if residents want council to aim for a lower tax increase, they can offer some suggestions.
“The bottom line is – if you think the taxes are too high, what don’t you want us to do? What activity do you want us to cut back on to reduce the cost... It’s essentially the same question I’m going to be asking council on Feb. 13.”
Now that property assessments are out, Douglas said one thing he hopes residents keep in mind during the budget debates is that a change in your assessment does not mean your taxes will change by the same percentage.
According to B.C. Assessment, single-family homes in Sechelt saw an average assessment increase of 11 per cent, while strata properties were up by an average of 19 per cent.
Douglas said the district is using a single-family home assessed at $636,000 to estimate the impact of the budget. Based on that, the municipal portion of the bill would go up by $171. If the property is connected to sewer, the sewer user fee would go up by $20 as well.
The e-Town Hall on the budget takes place Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. at the municipal hall. It will be live-streamed via YouTube, and people watching will be able to submit questions.
There are more details on the special section at www.sechelt.ca. The public can also offer budget input by email at: [email protected]
