Less than a month passed between this year’s due date for area property taxes and confirmation of the coming year’s tax rate-setting process at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).
The timetable for the 2024 budget process, confirmed at the July 27 board meeting, has discussions on the next regional spending plan several months away.
In step with staff proposals discussed at a July 20 meeting, elected officials eliminated fall pre-budget meetings in the 2024 process. Debate on budget components will begin with Round 1 meetings set for Dec. 4 to 6, with public engagement sessions starting in November. Such information-sharing opportunities are to continue as the 2024-2028 financial plan progresses toward what is anticipated to be a late February 2024 adoption.
Process changes made
Included during Round 1 talks will be the tally of current year carry-over asks. In 2020, 150 projects remained on the SCRD’s carry-over list from the previous year. By 2022, that number climbed to 230. Elected officials are to receive an update based on 2023 third quarter operating results for the more than 270 projects in this year’s spending plan before the Round 1 discussions. That will show how close to completion project are and how many current year initiatives will need to be carried over to 2024.
For community partner group funding requests, library service proponents are to attend Round 1 meetings to review their asks with the area directors. For other partners, only groups proposing changes to their requests (beyond inflationary increases) will make presentations.
The expanded initial budget round will also cover spending items classified as “mandatory” by regional district staff. Those include contractual and legislated requirements, health and safety items as well as projects to address imminent asset failure situations.
Round 2 discussions for the 2024 budget have been set for the final week of January.
Meetings resume in September
One of the foundation documents staff and elected official will rely on in 2024 budget development, the current board’s update to the strategic plan, has yet to be finalized. Staff have cited dates for discussion of that item in September with details “to be announced."
The SCRD's area directors are taking a break from regular board and committee meetings during August, with the next regular committee and board meetings set for Sept. 14. If required, special meetings to address urgent situations can be called by the board chair on the condition that 24 hours public notice is provided.
