Regional tax rates will rise in most –– but not all –– parts of the Sunshine Coast Regional District this year.
Fresh off Round 2 budget discussions, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) updated estimated regional district tax rates (per $100,000 of assessed value of properties) in a Jan. 22 press release.
Town of Gibsons will see the largest increase in SCRD-bound taxes. Their rate is estimated to rise to $208.07, up $4.38 over last year’s $203.69 per $100,000 of assessed value.
Increases of between $3 and $4 per $100,000 of assessed value are anticipated in District of Sechelt ($165.72), Elphinstone ($273.83) and shíshálh government district ($169.93).
The regional tax rate is set to rise between $2 and $3 for those with properties in Egmont/Pender Harbour ($242.28) and Halfmoon Bay ($268.07).
Roberts Creek properties are anticipated to face regional tax level increases of $1.64 per $100,000 of assessed value, with their rate rising to $273.18.
Three rural SCRD areas have a forecast to see their regional taxation decline over 2024 rates. Those are West Howe Sound ($291.98) and West Howe Sound Islands ($118.47), along with Halfmoon Bay Islands ($96.49). The decline in those rates was between $2.64 and $1.58 per $100,000 of assessed value.
As costs for individual services such as water, wastewater, transit and recreation are covered by the areas that receive those benefits, tax rates vary for different rural and municipal jurisdictions.
The release stated several projects are required to maintain service levels and plan for future demand and that the board’s focus in 2025 budgeting “has been on moving forward mandatory projects and those strategic projects which will maintain service levels with the potential to increase service levels in the future.”
Cited as examples of mandatory projects were upgrades to the Chapman Water Treatment Plant, Soames Creek monitoring compliance and initiatives focused on health and safety.
The release noted that "Several projects are part of the SCRD Board’s Strategic Plan and focus on two main service areas, Water Stewardship and Solid Waste Solutions. These include
• design and permitting for a treatment plant for the Gray Creek water source,
• construction of the Langdale Well Field,
• permitting associated with Siphons at Chapman and Edwards Lakes,
• control system upgrades at water treatment plants, pump stations and reservoirs across all water systems,
• reservoir maintenance in the Regional and South Pender water systems,
• continued work and engagement on the Solid Waste Management Plan to explore future waste disposal options on the Sunshine Coast,
• resources to support the reservoir projects with the shíshálh Nation."
Finalization of 2025 SCRD tax rates will happen after adoption of its updated financial plan bylaw and confirmation of the 2025 property tax assessment role.
Information on its 2025 budget process, tax rates and how to calculate taxation impacts for individual properties is available on the SCRD's "Let's Talk" budget page.
