Gibsons residents had one last chance to attend a public information session to review and comment on this year’s budget ahead of expected adoption in May.
Director of finance Lorraine Coughlin and director of engineering Dave Newman walked attendees of the virtual April 13 event through the water, sewer, operational and capital projects making up this year’s budget and seven per cent tax increase.
Revenue for the water utility has been budgeted at $1.8 million, with $1.45 million in expenses, leaving $382,000 available for capital projects.
A significant increase in service has been added, with Zone 3 in upper Gibsons supplied from the Gibsons aquifer rather than purchased from the Sunshine Coast Regional District. Debt associated with that project stands at $953,000 this year.
A five per cent increase to parcel taxes and water user fees has been added this year as part of an ongoing program to reduce Gibsons’ reliance on debt and grants for the service.
A five per cent increase has also been applied for this year’s sewer utility rates with the similar objective of achieving a self-sustaining utility. “Significant progress [has been] made in the last four years,” said Coughlin of the ongoing gradual increase.
Revenue for the sewer utility is $2 million this year and expenses are $1.9 million, leaving $80,000 for capital projects. Treatment accounts for the largest portion of the budget, with $714,000 in debt due to Prowse Road lift station upgrades.
Revenue for the general operating fund is $7.2 million, with 65 per cent of that coming from property taxes, garbage, water and sewer fees. Expenditures are slated at $7 million, with 24 per cent to cover infrastructure services and 39 per cent for general government.
Staff also addressed this year’s tax scheme, which introduces a dedicated police service tax.
Council has supported a seven per cent increase in 2021, with two per cent covering general operations and capital projects. The remaining five per cent will be carved off as a reserve to cover the cost of anticipated policing cost increases.
Currently, $420,000 is paid for policing services by the town, but an anticipated additional $700,000 to $1 million will be needed per year once the town reaches a population of 5,000, which is expected to happen when the next census is released in early 2022.
Those with an average residential property value of $643,873 are expected to pay total taxes of $3,965, excluding the province’s homeowner grant, with $1,694 retained by the Town of Gibsons.
On the capital side this year, $3.7 million in projects are scheduled, including $955,000 for the Whitetower Pond expansion project, which will be used to collect and filter stormwater before it funnels into Charman Creek.
“It’s an exciting project,” said Newman, adding the wooded area of the park will be expanded with the planting of native species.
For water, $795,000 has been budgeted to cover costs related to connecting Well 6 in the Oceanmount Boulevard area to the town’s water distribution system. Once complete, the well could supply about 2,000 people. Newman said the town is still waiting on provincial approvals.
Gibsons Way improvements, including a new bike lane and curb from the top of School Road down to North Fletcher Road, is also expected to be completed this year, with a budget of $442,000.
An additional significant provincial grant will allow the town to add “missing links” to its biking and pedestrian infrastructure.
Transportation improvements are also slated for Reed Road, where a multi-use path has been planned between Payne Road and Park Road, with a budget of $125,000.
This year’s paving budget received a boost, topping out at $672,000 for work on North Fletcher Road, Prowse Road, Venture Way and O’Shea Road, thanks to a carry-over from last year.
The typical budget is $375,000. Newman said it’s not enough to see an improvement over the network “as a whole,” with a budget in excess of $500,000 annually needed to accomplish that.
“It’s staff’s job to see how far we can stretch this money by combining it with other projects and looking for opportunities to work with the development community to piggyback on some of their paving to reduce overall costs,” he said.
During discussion, one attendee asked whether any line items have been adjusted as a result of community input.
Coughlin noted feedback led to funds allocated for seniors support and to support the community through a COVID-19 grant.
Another resident asked about a line item for dog park fencing. Newman mentioned a potential site at the hydro right-of-way at Aurora Way in Upper Gibsons near North Road. He said public engagement is being planned to establish a location.
“We’ve heard clearly from council that we’re involving the public as to where that goes,” he said.
Mayor Bill Beamish spoke in support of the budget at the end of the meeting, comparing council’s consideration of hiring one position to the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s addition of 12 positions and the 10 positions being considered by the District of Sechelt.
“We held the budget to two per cent – we heard you,” he said.
Both Newman and Coughlin said budget presentation meetings have been more successful than years past because of the virtual turnout.
