2024 Budget to Be Presented at March 25th Council Meeting

After receiving service area presentations on March 13th Council has directed staff to bring forward a revised five-year financial plan that includes a 10.58% lift to general municipal taxes to the March 25^th Council meeting. For residential taxes, this is equivalent to $147.12 or $12.26 per month for the average assessed property in Sooke.

The investments being made within the proposed budget include:

Community Safety:

Transitioning to 24/7 policing;
Continued support of 24/7 fire rescue services; and
Additional Bylaw Officer.

Transportation Infrastructure:

Church/Throup Roundabout (2023-2024 Project);
Charters Road North (2024-2025 Project);
Little River Pedestrian Crossing (2024-2025 Project);
Transit Stop, Streetlight, Crosswalk Improvements; and
$400,000 investment in bridge maintenance (Connie Road Bridge, Todd Creek Bridge, Phillips Road Bridge).

Community Planning:

Charters South Road Design (Construction anticipated for 2025);
Charters Intersection Design (Construction anticipation for 2025);
Ella Road Design (Construction anticipated for 2025);
Throup Connector Design (Construction anticipation for 2026-2027, pending funding);
Phillips Road Design (Construction anticipation for 2027, pending funding);
Wadams Transit Exchange Design (Construction alongside development of “Lot A”)
$150,000 investment in the annual patch and pave program
Asset Management Program (2% Contribution identified for 2024)
Stakeholder Engagement on a New Subdivision Standards Bylaw
Stakeholder Engagement on DCC Updates
OCP Re-engagement and implementation/application of new Provincial Housing Legislation

Parks, Greenspaces and Environment:

Ravens Ridge Park Enhancements (2023-2024 Project);
$150,000 investment in annual rain/stormwater management
$100,000 investment in annual playground program
$75,000 investment in pier and boardwalk maintenance and repairs
$75,000 investment in park asset maintenance and repairs
Renewal of the Community Climate Action Seed Funding Program

Municipal services account for less than half of what is collected on the annual property tax bill.

In 2023, the municipal portion represented 44% of taxes collected.

The District collects taxes on behalf of other agencies so that you have one bill to deal with as opposed to multiple. Other taxing agencies included on your property tax bill are the Capital Regional District, Provincial School Tax, Capital Regional Hospital, BC Transit, Regional Library, BC Assessment and Municipal Finance Authority.

Residents are encouraged to attend or tune in to the upcoming meeting. Comments on the draft budget can be received by email to budget@sooke.ca.

A Community budget Open House is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Sooke municipal hall, 2205 Otter Point Road.

What happens after the budget is adopted?

Following adoption, the District will receive third-party tax information in the spring.

Once third-party tax information is received, the Tax Rate Bylaw will be presented to Council in April. Subsequently, property tax notices will be mailed out in late May or early June, with payments due by July 2, 2024.

As property taxes are being collected, preparations for the 2025 budget will commence, with the Annual Budget Survey available from mid-June to mid-August. Residents will also have opportunities to connect with Council members and staff throughout the summer at various engagements, including local markets and community events.

Attend the March 25^th meeting in person, starting at 7:00 pm, at municipal hall, 2205 Otter Point Road, or watch the live-stream from home. As always, a recording of the public meeting will be available for residents to view at their convenience. Find related links at sooke.ca/meetings.