The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) released its budget this week.
While final numbers are still forthcoming from BC Assessment, the numbers indicate an approximate 3.4 per cent increase in taxation compared to last year.
"It was a real struggle," board chair Garry Nohr said of the budget process.
Initially, Nohr said, spending demands for the 2012 fiscal year brought talk of an increase of between 10 and 12 per cent.
"I would say it came out not too badly. It's a little less, maybe a little more than people would like to see," said Nohr. "I think compared to other districts that's pretty good."
The lowest change affects Halfmoon Bay, where the average percentage increase is expected to be approximately 1.44 per cent.
In the Town of Gibsons, that number is 5.6 per cent - a number that is almost two points lower than officials had expected as recently as last week.
West Howe Sound can expect a tax increase of an average 4.4 per cent. Home to the pulp mill and Islands Trust, the region accounts for 21.1 per cent of SCRD taxation. Whereas last year Area F generated approximately $2.8 million in taxes, this year it's expected to put up just shy of $3 million.
"In my view [the Islands] don't get a lot of service for what they pay in quite a number of functions," said Area F director Lee Turnbull. "I'm looking into that over the next couple of months."
Among the spending priorities and capital projects expected in the coming year are an expansion of transit service hours, continued upgrades for recreational facilities, a Sechelt youth centre pilot project, a bike path for Marine Drive in Area F, the Roberts Creek pedestrian project and shoreline protection in Elphinstone - to name a few.
Other areas where the SCRD is expected to focus its attention include developing the Chapman Creek source assessment response plan and the Dakota Ridge business plan, moving towards zero waste goals, upgrading water treatment facilities and preparing for the closure of the Pender Harbour landfill and, ultimately, the Sechelt one too.
Grant funding and sources of revenue other than taxation, such as an estimated $143,000 from BC Transit, according to staff, also contributed to the board's effort to keep the bottom line a manageable one.
At the March 20 meeting of Gibsons council, Coun. Gerry Tretick reported that he was pleased to see previous estimates for the Town's contribution had been cut down to size.
"I immediately phoned the treasurer of the regional district to find out how that could possibly happen since we started at a higher number than that to begin with," Tretick said.
He explained that extra funding for transit and a change in the way the purchase of a new pumper truck for the fire hall has been accounted led to the lower than expected number.
"It was good news," he said.
