The Sunshine Coast Regional District's (SCRD) first round budget talks wrapped up last week, resulting in a preliminary property tax increase of 2.48 per cent.
That figure is likely to change as the board still has two remaining rounds of budget talks in order to refine the round one result. The second round begins Feb. 13 at 9:30 a.m. and the public is encouraged to attend.
"The priorities will be to really look hard at what we need and what we don't need," predicted SCRD board chair Garry Nohr.
Factors driving the preliminary increase included added pressure on public transit to provide more mid-day service on weekdays. Implementation of zero-waste initiatives has also been expected to add to the region's financial demands.
Added requirements for parks and recreation to meet stricter safety guidelines while allowing for capital and energy efficiency improvements are having an effect on budget discussions.
The SCRD board also finds itself having to mitigate a decrease in building revenues, a trend that is affecting much of the province.
"The tough decisions will come on the second round," said Nohr. "There will be a real concern by the regional district board to have to look at each area very strongly to make sure they hold the line."
A possible wage increase for SCRD staff has yet to enter the calculations and, Nohr said, "there's a lot of things missing yet."
Throughout the budgetary process, the board is tasked with weighing the types of spending they feel are consistent with the regional district's strategic plan.
The financial impact of projects and their effect on the taxpayer also weigh on the decisions.
As for the actual property taxes that can be expected for 2012, it should be noted that the increase will likely be smaller for most taxpayers as the SCRD portion makes up a fraction of the total.
During the review, the board began with a basic operating budget that was designed to maintain current service levels.
From that starting point, their added considerations were taken into account through a series of decision packages affecting different areas of SCRD services and revenues.
The resulting 2.48 per cent increase is preliminary, and in order to maintain the budget's current trajectory, Nohr said some difficult decisions are needed.
"That will be troublesome because every department, of course, believes strongly that they need this, they need that," he said. "I would suggest that there will be a lot of areas that are in the regional district that will be disappointed because they won't be getting their increases."
Topping the second round priorities will be addressing safety demands and areas where liabilities are concerned, Nohr added.
"It will have to be a real fight to keep it that low," Nohr said.
The public can attend budget talks at the SCRD offices on Field Road, starting daily at 9:30 a.m. from Feb. 13 to 15.
