Budget 2026

The District would like to thank all residents who participated in the Budget 2026 process - both the more than 1,700 voices who contributed during Phase One consultation and those who attended the Phase Two Open House to learn more and engage in discussion. Your participation supports informed decision-making and helps shape the District’s financial planning.

The 2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 940, which received three readings on April 1, 2026, includes a proposed municipal tax increase of approximately $17.54 per month for the average single-family property. This investment supports the addition of four community safety personnel - two police officers and two firefighters - and retains a 2% contribution to the District’s Asset Management Program to support the maintenance and replacement of infrastructure.

The bylaw will be brought forward for consideration of adoption at the Regular Council meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026.

The District of Sooke is inviting residents to attend a Budget Open House on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Municipal Hall, Council Chamber.

This drop-in event provides an opportunity to learn more about the proposed 2026 municipal budget, associated service levels, and what they mean for the community.

The open house is one of several opportunities for residents to learn about the proposed budget and engage in the process. Each year, the budget is shaped by community feedback gathered through the District’s annual survey and ongoing engagement. During phase one, including the annual survey and community pop-ups, more than 1,700 voices contributed their perspectives to help inform priorities and guide decision-making.

“The District begins engagement early in the budget process to ensure the five-year financial plan is as responsive as possible to community voices,” said Chief Administrative Officer Raechel Gray. “The financial landscape for local governments continues to evolve, and early community feedback allows us to balance new pressures and difficult financial realities with the priorities identified by our community - recognizing that priorities and available funding may not always align seamlessly.”

At a Special Council meeting held on April 1, 2026, Sooke Council gave three readings to the 2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw. The proposed budget includes a tentative property tax increase of 10.5%, or approximately $17.54 per month for the average single-family residential property.

The proposed increase is driven by the following key components:

• 3.04%: Fire - Additional staffing, including two career firefighters, and maintaining emergency response capacity -
• 2.60%: Police - Two additional RCMP officers, including a school and community liaison services
• 2.00%: Asset Management - Investment in maintaining and replacing infrastructure such as roads and facilities
• 1.81%: General Municipal - Ongoing operational costs and service delivery including municipal roads, parks and trails, bylaw and legislative requirements
• 0.97%: E-Comm 9-1-1 - Full-year funding for emergency call answering and dispatch services
• 0.08% Debt Servicing

The draft financial plan reflects key investments in community safety and emergency services, including the addition of two career firefighters expected to start in July and two RCMP officers anticipated to begin in September. The budget also accounts for a full year of funding for E-Comm 9-1-1 services, at approximately $430,000.

Over the past several months, Council has worked through multiple budget scenarios, carefully considering service levels, community safety investments, and long-term financial sustainability in a growing community.

“Budget development is an ongoing process that reflects months of thoughtful discussion and deliberation,” said Mayor Maja Tait. “We encourage residents to attend the open house to better understand what has emerged through Council’s work - including how service levels, public safety investments, long-term needs, and financial realities come together - before budget adoption.”

The Budget Open House will offer residents the opportunity to review key components of the proposed budget, ask questions, and speak directly with staff and elected officials.

Written correspondence may be submitted to: budget@sooke.ca

Missed the 2026 budget survey? There are several ways to stay informed and get involved:

• Sign up for the District’s monthly newsletter or Public Participation mailing list
• Subscribe for updates at sooke.ca/subscribe
• Receive meeting agendas and access recordings at sooke.ca/meetings

The District of Sooke’s 2026–2030 Financial Plan is advancing to the next stage, with Council set to consider the bylaw for three readings at the March 23 Regular Council Meeting.

This milestone follows several months of budget deliberations, including detailed discussions at the March 16 Committee of the Whole, where Council worked to refine the draft plan and balance community priorities with affordability.

In local government, bylaws must pass three readings before they can be adopted. First reading introduces the bylaw, second reading allows for debate and amendments, and third reading reflects Council’s approval of the bylaw in near-final form. While significant, this step does not finalize the budget.

Pending readings, the District will host a Community Budget Open House on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Sooke Municipal Hall (2205 Otter Point Road). The open house provides an opportunity for residents to learn more about the proposed financial plan and share feedback.

Council will continue to have opportunities to review and amend the Financial Plan following the open house. Final adoption is currently planned for the April 13, 2026 Regular Council Meeting.

By legislation, municipalities are required to adopt their financial plans by May 15 each year.

Balancing Priorities and Affordability

The current draft financial plan reflects Council’s direction to limit the 2026 property tax increase to 12%. Achieving this cap required a series of adjustments, including deferring the start of new RCMP positions, managing vacancies, reducing contingency budgets, and scaling back discretionary spending.

Policing costs remain a significant factor in the budget. Even with the deferral of two officers and a School Liaison position to September 2026, RCMP costs account for approximately one-third of the overall tax increase. As Sooke continues to grow, future policing needs will remain a key consideration in financial planning.

At the same time, the budget seeks to maintain core municipal services and align investments with Council’s Strategic Plan, particularly in areas such as public safety, parks, and community infrastructure.

What Comes Next

The weeks ahead provide important opportunities for community input and Council decision-making before the financial plan is finalized. Residents are encouraged to attend the open house, follow Council discussions, and stay informed as the District works toward adopting a balanced and sustainable budget for 2026.

At today’s Committee of the Whole meeting, members discussed options to address emerging service pressures and community priorities with a focus on policing as it relates to Budget 2026.

Following discussion, the Committee passed a recommendation that Council direct staff to provide additional reporting on an updated 2026–2030 Financial Plan based on a maximum annual tax increase for 2026 of 12%. For context, a 12% increase is estimated to represent approximately $20 per month for the average residential property.

The requested reporting will include:

• Associated service level impacts
• Reserve implications
• Financial sustainability considerations

In addition, the Committee recommended that the budget include consideration of funding for two additional RCMP officers, with a third officer dedicated as a School Liaison Officer beginning later in 2026.

This recommendation will come forward to Council on Monday (February 23, 2026) for formal direction to staff.

If Council endorses the direction, staff will return with updated financial plan scenarios reflecting these parameters for further consideration as part of the 2026 budget process.

Residents can watch the full Committee of the Whole discussion online:

Stay informed about District news and updates: sooke.ca/subscribe

On February 17, 2026, Sooke Council begins deliberations on the 2026 municipal budget, starting with a focused review of policing services within the overall operating budget.

The municipal budget process is continuous. Each year, as property taxes are being paid, the next budget cycle begins with citizen engagement - including a community survey and pop-ups held throughout Sooke. This early input establishes the foundation for financial planning.

For Budget 2026, approximately 1,700 voices contributed through an online survey and 18 community pop-ups held between mid-June and August 2025. The results were presented to Council on October 20, 2025, in the What We Heard Report.

From November through January, Council received service area overviews outlining operational realities across departments - including financial pressures, contractual obligations, organizational drivers, business continuity requirements and capacity considerations - all reviewed in the context of community priorities.

Council is now entering the deliberation phase. In public meetings, Council reviews draft budgets and provides direction on potential adjustments to service levels or capital investments before adopting the 2026–2030 Financial Plan and Tax Rate Bylaw. By legislation, the Tax Rate Bylaw must be adopted by May 15 each year.

February 17 Focus: Policing Services

The February 17 Committee of the Whole meeting will focus on policing.

Policing is the largest single service within the District’s operating budget. RCMP contract costs, staffing levels, equipment requirements, and provincial standards strongly influence overall municipal expenditures and property tax scenarios. Council will review these cost drivers within the broader context of the full operating budget.

Public Process and How to Follow Along

Budget deliberations take place in public meetings. While some meetings occur during the day, all are open to attendance, livestreamed, and recorded for later viewing.

Meeting materials and the full agenda are available online:

• February 17 Agenda: https://sooke.civicweb.net/document/107044/

Residents can follow the full Budget 2026 process, review engagement results, and stay informed at: letstalk.sooke.ca/budget

Before adoption of the Financial Plan and Tax Rate Bylaw, the District will also host a community budget open house to provide another opportunity for residents to learn more and ask questions.

The municipal budget reflects community priorities and establishes the financial framework for the year ahead.

As part of Council’s ongoing governance and financial oversight responsibilities, Service Overviews provide a clear summary of each municipal service area, including:

• Core service mandate and legislative authority
• Key functions and service levels
• 2024–2025 accomplishments and performance highlights
• Current challenges and emerging issues
• 2026 priorities and strategic alignment
• Budget drivers and resource considerations

These overviews support transparent decision-making and provide the community with insight into how services align with Council’s Strategic Plan and corporate objectives.

Service Areas Presented

Service Overviews are available through the Meeting Portal at the links below:

• Nov 10, 2025 Regular Council: Administrative Services; Financial Services (incl Reception); IT & GIS
• Nov 17, 2025 Committee of the Whole: Operations – Wastewater; Facilities/Parks/Environment; Engineering (Roads and Stormwater); Subdivision and Land Development
• Nov 24, 2025 Regular Council: Corporate Services (Legislative and Bylaw)
• Jan 12, 2026 Regular Council: Planning and Development Services - Planning & Development; Community Economic Development; Building; Fire (incl. Emergency Program Services)
• Jan 19, 2025 Committee of the Whole: Service Agreement Presentations and Sooke RCMP

Staff presented the Budget 2026 “What We Heard” Report to Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on October 20, 2025. The presentation highlighted findings from Phase One of the Budget Engagement (June–September 2025), which included an online survey, random household survey, and pop-up engagements — resulting in record community participation. Key themes included transportation, parks and recreation, public safety, balanced growth, and economic development. The input will inform the development of the 2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan and next steps in the budget process.

• Related staff report
• Budget 2026 What We Heard Report
• Watch meeting recording and presentation

The District of Sooke extends a heartfelt thank you to the more than 1,500 residents and visitors who engaged with us during Phase One of Budget 2026 engagement. Your participation - whether at a pop-up event or through the online survey has made this one of our most successful budget engagements to date.

Since June, staff and elected officials have connected with the community at 18 pop-up events, supported by an online survey that remained open throughout the summer. Together, these opportunities gave residents a chance to share their thoughts on priorities, trade-offs, and investments that matter most for the future of Sooke.

As the online survey closes, the next step of Phase One engagement is underway: 300 randomly selected households across Sooke will receive a print survey in the mail this week. If you are selected, please complete the survey and return it to Municipal Hall by September 24, 2025.

“Our community showed up in record numbers this year, and we are incredibly grateful,” said Christina Moog, Manager of Communications and Community Relations. “Your voice matters, and by participating, you’re helping shape how the District prioritizes investments and services.”

Results from Phase One will be published at letstalk.sooke.ca/budget and presented to Council at the October 20, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting.