Budget 2025

The District of Sooke’s annual budget process for 2025 begins with a public survey and in-person outreach events, aimed at gathering community feedback to inform budget development. This year, engagement efforts saw a notable increase in participation, with a 40% rise in online survey responses and a total of 329 surveys collected—a 64.5% increase over the previous year.

The survey invited residents to share satisfaction levels, rank service priorities, suggest changes in service areas, and provide input on transportation and economic growth. Approximately 900 residents participated in pop-up events held at local parks and markets, using interactive tools to allocate “tax dollars” to services, sparking valuable discussions with Council and staff.

The What We Heard Report summarizes our approach to engagement, including who we heard from, how we listened, and what we learned. This staff report offers a high-level summary of the engagement, with greater details including verbatim comments, included in the attachment.

Key Findings

1. High Satisfaction Levels: Fire Rescue, Parks, Communications, and Community Engagement, as well as Policing, received the highest satisfaction ratings from respondents.

2. Areas of Concern: Respondents expressed dissatisfaction with local streets, community planning, business attraction and retention, commercial development, and bylaw education. However, overall satisfaction levels across services were positive.

3. Top Service Priorities for Increased Investment:

   • Local streets and roadways
   • Community planning and development
   • Business attraction, retention, and commercial development
   • Parks, outdoor spaces, sidewalks, and trails

4. Economic Development Priorities: Respondents highlighted healthcare and medical services as priority sectors for development, emphasizing the need for improved transportation infrastructure to support economic growth and high-paying job creation.

5. Transportation and Traffic Solutions: In response to congestion on Highway 14, residents prioritized the creation of an alternate route, with additional support for local road improvements and expanded transit options. Frequency and hours of transit service were noted as the main barriers to increased usage.

6. Referendum Support: High levels of support were noted for borrowing funds to enhance sidewalks and for the Throup Road Connector and Phillips Road Corridor. While there was less emphasis on land acquisition for parks, respondents still viewed it as a valuable investment.

What's next?

1. Service level overview (anticipated date: November 18, 2024 Regular Council meeting)
2. Preliminary budget introduction (anticipated date: December 16, 2024 Regular Council meeting)
3. Council direction (anticipated date: January 2025)
4. First Reading (introduction) of District's 2025 Budget at a Regular Council Meeting (anticipated date: February 2025)
5. Second Reading (initial discussion) of District's 2025 Budget at Regular Council Meeting (anticipated date: February 2025)
6. Third Reading (final discussion) of District's 2025 Budget at Regular Council Meeting (anticipated date: February 2025)
7. Community Budget Open House to inform on 2025 priorities (anticipated date: February or March 2025)
8. Budget Adoption (anticipated date: March 2025)

Resources:

• What We Heard 2025 Report
• Presentation Slide Deck

The District of Sooke invites all residents to participate in the Annual Budget Survey to help guide the allocation of tax dollars towards services that matter most to the community. This survey, now open, aims to gather valuable insights into local priorities and preferences, shaping the upcoming budget for 2025.

"This survey is a critical opportunity for every resident to have a direct impact on how their tax dollars are invested," said Mayor Maja Tait. "Your feedback will inform our decisions as we plan for our community’s needs and build a more sustainable future for Sooke."

The survey covers several key areas including current services, service expansion priorities, economic opportunities, and transportation infrastructure. Residents are encouraged to complete the survey, which typically takes between 5 to 15 minutes to finish.

To enhance engagement, the District will host a series of community pop-up events throughout the summer. These events provide residents with additional opportunities to learn about the budget process, ask questions, and share their feedback in person. The schedule for these events is as follows:

• Thursday, June 27, 5-8pm: Night Market at Sooke Region Museum
• Thursday, July 4, 5-8pm: Night Market at Sooke Region Museum
• Tuesday, July 9, 1pm-2:30pm: Broomhill Playground
• Thursday, July 11, 5-8pm: Night Market at Sooke Region Museum
• Saturday, July 13, 10am-2pm: Sooke Country Market
• Wednesday, July 17, 10am-11:30am: Whiffin Spit
• Thursday, July 18, 5-8pm: Night Market at Sooke Region Museum
• Thursday, July 25, 5-8pm: Night Market at Sooke Region Museum
• Wednesday, August 7, 10am-11:30am: Broomhill Playground
• Thursday, August 8, 5-8pm: Night Market at Sooke Region Museum
• Saturday, August 10, 10am-2pm: Sooke Country Market
• Thursday, August 17, 5-8pm: Night Market at Sooke Region Museum

"We encourage all residents, whether property owners or renters, to participate and ensure their voices are heard," added Mayor Tait. "Your input, combined with our strategic planning documents, will shape the 'What We Heard: Budget 2025' report, which will be shared with the public this November."

To participate in the survey and for more information on the budget process, residents are encouraged to visit letstalk.sooke.ca/budget.