The PowerPoint breaking down Gibsons budget numbers was perhaps on the dry side of the artistic feats that often grace the Heritage Playhouse stage –– but the dialogue session attendees were rapt nonetheless as they discussed their 2025 priorities.
With an Official Community Plan update under way and other bylaw and plan updates in the works, the Jan. 7 dialogue served as a temperature check for some of the municipality’s shorter-term efforts. More than 50 people, including most of council and many senior staffers, attended the session, which Mayor Silas White moderated.
A public comment and question period followed a 20-minute documentary about last year’s Residents’ Assembly public engagement pilot project and presentations from finance director William Wallace and infrastructure director Trevor Rutley.
On policing
Gibsons has saved enough money for policing that it may soon be able to reduce the annual five per cent tax increases in anticipation of the policing tax jump, expected in 2027, Wallace said.
The town is collecting $600,000 a year for policing, but when the next census (May 2026) confirms Gibsons has passed the 5,000-person mark, that burden will rise to $1.6 million, Wallace said. Gibsons has saved enough money that there’s a cushion for the transition and for Gibsons to sort out how much the annual increases should be (presumably aligning with inflation). “We've saved enough money to at least stop for now and then wait to find out what the real budget cost will be,” said Wallace. (Council has yet to make any tax decisions for 2025.)
Mayor Silas White clarified the policing level won’t change automatically in 2027, just the proportion Gibsons is paying for the services. (“That’s not fair,” commented one audience member –– “It’s not,” White agreed.)
On infrastructure
The infrastructure focus in 2025 is completing projects carried over from 2023 and 2024 infrastructure director Trevor Rutley told the crowd.
The sewage treatment plant smell arose as it has in past years and Rutley reiterated previous statements that odour control will be part of the plant’s expansion in coming years. Among the sewer capital priorities are collection system improvements, centrifuge construction, outfall replacement design and the preliminary design of the plant expansion.
On the topic of water, Rutley said because Gibsons relies on groundwater, it’s not as subject to seasonal drought as the SCRD’s surface water sources. Water is also monitored carefully.
Economic development
A suggestion for business mentorship for young people had White reflecting on the hope the Sunshine Coast Chamber of Commerce, coming into a year since its transition to a region-wide organization, will take up the challenge. Asked about the now defunct Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization (SCREDO), White said the town’s decision to stop their annual $40,000 contribution to the organization was made as the municipality didn’t find SCREDO was offering much value. The hope is the revitalized chamber would fill the void.
Toilets
Though a permanent toilet had been in the works for Pioneer Park at Five Corners, the grant that had been secured to build a washroom there wasn’t sufficient to cover the project, because of inflated costs, the crowd heard. So while such a structure is in the long-term plans, a permanent washroom isn’t imminent (this was a surprise and disappointment some audience members commented). The Billy’s Walk development is contributing some money toward the washroom as part of its community amenity contribution, but Rutley shared that it’s going to cost half a million dollars to put up the bathroom. The audience suggested parking meters to help fund the initiative.
Tidbits
The issue of traffic calming, on Abbs, Stewart, and Fletcher among other roads, drew calls for more speed bumps. (Though one resident noted their road’s potholes do the trick.)
A dog park isn’t in the work plan but will be part of the consideration in the parks master plan (coming in 2026), said White.
A parent of the youngest attendee of the meeting suggested childcare be a consideration for such meetings so as to allow parents to attend.
On the topic of speed limits, the idea of a town-wide speed reduction (something that may be contemplated as part of the upcoming transportation master plan), received applause.
Foreshore restoration and seawall matters arose. There’s enough money for Gibsons to stabilize the slope by Gramma’s Pub, but what comes next for area around the now-removed section of wharf isn’t funded or decided.
Resident Conchita Harding asked for upgrades to electricity for Winegarden Park as there wasn’t enough electricity capacity to support last year’s Canada Day celebrations, and the celebrations are once again planned for this year.
Gibsons’ 2025 budget discussions will come forward in coming weeks and months. A one per cent tax increase raises about $44,000 for the town.
