Directors and staff at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) have been burning the midnight oil the past few weeks, crunching the numbers in the hopes of finalizing a budget that will continue to provide services to Coast residents, while not hitting them too hard in their wallets.
Crunch time is almost over and directors are facing a possible 13 per cent tax increase and reduced services. That doesn't sit too well with some residents, as we can attest by the many letters we've received on the subject. The major concerns seem to be around recreation and the reduction of ice time and swim time in facilities in Gibsons. The ice has always been taken out early in Sechelt to allow for summer programs like ball hockey and lacrosse, but when the new community centre was built in Gibsons, ice-user groups finally had two sheets of ice and an opportunity to gain more skate time before the summer hit. Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey and the figure skating club have lobbied hard to get ice times extended, but it's costly. According to the SCRD, community recreation has seen a 72.2 per cent increase in SCRD taxation. That's no small peanuts. If residents want these recreation services, and clearly judging by the response in the community, many people do, then you have to be prepared to pay for them. That means taxes will go up, which might not be satisfactory with others.
Are you starting to see the picture? While some don't want recreation, and don't want to see their taxes go up, others do and are willing to take a tax hit. It's trying to find that common ground and what works for the majority that is at issue. At the very least residents, are much more engaged in the budget process, which is a good thing. In years past, no one showed up to budget open houses and cared little about where their tax dollars were being spent. Hopefully, in the coming days, the discussion will continue and directors will be able to find that common ground and a budget that works.
Not a time for a pay raiseWhile the SCRD struggles are almost over, budget talks at the District of Sechelt and Town of Gibsons are just starting. Maybe lost in the mix is the fact that Sechelt councillors are considering a pay increase, as we reported last week. While we can argue that councillors are underpaid, is this really a good time for council to consider a pay increase? The economy is hurting, so how can Sechelt councillors, many of them new to the job, justify to taxpayers a pay increase? This is not fiscally prudent or responsible. Council would be wise to take that money and spend it elsewhere - maybe on services to improve the community and assist the residents who elected them in the first place.
