At a recent District of Sechelt meeting dedicated to public safety, the audience was asked to take part in an exercise during which they were given a (faux) $500,000 budget and then a list of options they could spend it on, including extra RCMP or community safety officers and closed-circuit TV cameras.
Many in the room appeared surprised by the cost of the suggested options and just as many were taken aback by the tax hike suggested in order to pay for these amenities.
That was just an exercise but now Sechelt residents have the opportunity to have a real say about how their tax dollars will be spent next year with Budget 2025.
The district is in the midst of planning projects and services for 2025 and is asking the community to weigh in on how it should spend tax dollars and offer ideas on how to balance the budget, while still maintaining core services and programs to meet the needs of residents and businesses.
The financial plan, or budget, pays for the services provided by the district, including bylaw enforcement, parks, festivals and cultural programs, and much more. The budget must also fund capital expenses, including, but not limited to, public facilities and roadworks. In a news release, the district notes “only the services most needed by our residents are maintained and improved where necessary.”
“Like any household or business, the municipality is challenged with increased costs when developing the annual budget. Unlike households or businesses, local governments must balance the budget and are not permitted to run a deficit.”
How to get involved and share your feedback
- Complete the survey by Sunday, Oct. 27. (Enter to win a $25 gift certificate for completing)
- Contact the mayor and council directly to provide feedback via Mayor and Council email)
- Attend an online public information session (dates to come)
- Attend and share at a council budget meeting this winter
- Share these opportunities with your communities
Your feedback will be collected and presented to council in a public report later this year.
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