Round two talks are in the books, and the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is nearing the home stretch in finalizing its budget for 2011.
Round three budget talks were in the final stages this week as directors continued the task of providing needed services to the community, while also trying to implement the lowest possible tax hit to Coast residents.
After round two, the overall increase in SCRD taxes was 3.58 per cent, with a low of 1.1 per cent in the Sechelt Indian Government District and as much as 6.9 per cent in Halfmoon Bay. The rest of the Coast breaks down as follows: 2.7 per cent in Area A, 3.2 per cent in Area D, 2.1 per cent in Area E, 5.7 per cent in Area F, 5.4 per cent in the Town of Gibsons and 3.7 per cent in the District of Sechelt.
The totals include an operating budget of $28.7 million, of which 34 per cent is attributed to recreation and cultural services, 19 per cent to water and waste water, 11 per cent to environmental services, 10 per cent to transportation services, with planning, protective services, general government and health services making up the balance.
"A proactive strategy was needed to lay the groundwork for the continuance of high quality services and to provide a legacy for future generations," said chief administrative officer John France. "The strategic plan process was designed and structured to identify and set priorities to support and respect the aspirations of the community."
Recreation facilities, libraries and museums, parks and solid waste management are among the big target list of items and priorities for the SCRD.
Directors have been struggling with trying to come up with the necessary funds to pay for repairs at the Sunshine Coast Arena in Sechelt and the Gibsons Aquatic Centre. Two weeks ago, directors decided to take those funds from its surplus rather than go out to referendum and ask the public for the money to pay for upgrades and repairs.
While earmarking surplus funds for those facilities, the board is also trying to develop long-term strategies to manage the day-to-day costs at the recreation facilities, which also include the Gibsons and Area Community Centre, Sechelt Aquatic Centre and the Pender Harbour Aquatic Centre. The costs of those facilities continues to rise and are much more than anticipated when the recreation referendum was held a few years ago.
As identified in the strategic plan, the SCRD developed a financial sustainability policy. This comprehensive policy includes strategies to set affordable taxation levels in relation to the services provided. The policy also includes statements and strategies related to growth, increasing demands for service, new services or enhancements, and building reserves.
As part of this plan, the budget process includes a base or minimum operating budget to sustain current service levels as a starting point with recommendations on options for proposed projects and enhancements. The SCRD board considers a range of projects consistent with the strategic plan while also focusing on the financial impact these projects will have on the taxpayer.
"The board is committed to delivering programs and services that areefficient, effective and aligned with the priorities of residents and as captured within the Strategic Plan while keeping taxation as low as possible," added board chair Garry Nohr.
