Budget 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:

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.

The District of Sooke invites residents and visitors to take part in the final in-person pop-up events of Phase One 2026 Budget Engagement next week:

• Wednesday, August 20, 2025 – Connect with staff at the Town Centre kiosk by Evergreen Mall from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, August 21, 2025 – Visit the District booth at the Sooke Night Market from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

These markets will close out 18 pop-up events held since June, where staff and elected officials have connected with more than 1,300 residents and visitors to talk about budget priorities and hear what matters most to the community.

Missed us at the pop-ups? The online budget survey is available anytime at letstalk.sooke.ca/budget until August 24, 2025. As the online survey closes, the final step of Phase One engagement will begin: 300 randomly selected households will receive a print survey in the mail. If you are selected to receive the print survey, please complete it and return it to Municipal Hall by September 24, 2025.

The results of this engagement will be published online at letstalk.sooke.ca/budget and presented to Council at the October 20, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting.

“Our target this year was to connect with 1,500 participants through Phase One budget engagement – aiming to increase participation by 25% over last year,” said Christina Moog, Manager of Communications and Community Relations. “Thanks to your active participation, it certainly looks like we will reach that target! Your voice matters. We are listening, and we are grateful for all of the conversations we’ve shared to ensure your voices are heard.”

Mayor of Sooke, Maja Tait added, “Council relies on community feedback to help guide our budget decisions. By sharing your thoughts - whether at a pop-up, through the online survey, or in the print survey - you are directly shaping how we prioritize investments in our community.”

Rose Liu, Director of Financial Services shared, “Engagement is an important first step in the budget process. We use this input to align our financial planning with community priorities while ensuring fiscal responsibility. As our What We Heard report lays the foundation, budget deliberations and service level discussions will follow in November. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far.”

Learn more about the District’s budget process and participate in the online survey until August 24, 2024:

• Letstalk.sooke.ca/budget