Nearly $1.5 million will be coming to the Sunshine Coast through the 2018-19 federal Gas Tax Fund allocations.
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will receive the most ($677,882), followed by the District of Sechelt at $465,657. The Town of Gibsons is getting $251,178 while the Sechelt Indian Government District (SIGD) gets $91,313. The funds are allocated on a per capita basis and are comparable to prior years. Sechelt, for instance, received about $15,000 more this year.
The Canadian government is delivering two installments of $139.3 million to British Columbia for a total of $278.6 million. Those payments will be distributed via the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. The first half has recently been received and the second installment is expected in December.
According to David Douglas, director of financial services with the Town of Gibsons, the amount received this year is similar to 2018. “We don’t have plans to spend this new money in our 2018 fiscal year and will be transferred to reserves,” said Douglas.
Sechelt communications manager Julie Rogers said potential gas tax projects for 2019 will be discussed during the budget deliberations for 2019. Some projects include Phase Two of Nestman Beach Access, wildlife-resistant garbage cans in Davis Bay, Selma Park beach lookout and the design of Trail Avenue alignment and safety improvements.
In 2017, the District of Sechelt received close to $450,000 and spent it on eight infrastructure upgrades and safety improvement projects, such as the pedestrian crossing on Highway 101 connecting pedestrians from Mission Point Park to Brookman Park, lighting improvements to the baseball diamond on the lower field at Kinnikinnick Park and paving Mason Road and Skana Crescent.
SCRD projects currently being funded through gas taxes from previous years include funding the design plans for Coopers Green Hall and other projects.
Launched in 2005, the Gas Tax Fund is a permanent funding source used to support local infrastructure priorities. According to Infrastructure Canada, municipalities can pool, save and borrow against the funding.
