Author: A.Gorton

Citizen Journalist

Higher property taxes will soon become reality for Central Saanich property owners, as council tries to compensate for higher costs and decreased revenue.

Central Saanich is projected to have one of the highest tax rate increases in all of Greater Victoria, at 5.36 per cent, while North Saanich will have one of the lowest at 1.62 per cent. Sidney is 2.96 per cent and Saanich 3.25 per cent.

Mayor Alastair Bryson attributes the proposed tax rate increase to a shortage of revenue from the province, mainly from Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing and Small Communities Grants, in addition to growing infrastructure costs.

“The proposed 5.36% tax rate increase is significant, especially given the current economic outlook. It will be necessary however, if we are to maintain existing levels of service at a time when the District’s non-tax revenues are decreasing and while we are making substantial investments in repair and renewal of municipal infrastructure.” said Mayor Bryson.

Also contributing to the 324,000 shortfall, is debt servicing for the new Main Fire Hall and increased costs for policing services.

Coun. Zeb King tried to minimize the tax hike with a Motion submitted at the March 25th Finance and Administration Committee Meeting, where Coun.King requested staff assist council with further reducing the 5.36 per cent tax rate increase, so it does not exceed last year’s rate of 3.56 per cent.

Coun. King’s motion found no support and the motion was defeated.

Coun. King stated, “I don’t know if it is impossible to get the budget down to an average of 3.56 per cent, but it shouldn’t be impossible to reconsider a budget at any stage before the May 14th deadline.”

Neighboring North Saanich was facing a 3.2 per cent tax rate increase for their 2013 budget, when council chose to reexamine their expenses and managed to cut the increase by almost half, down to 1.62 per cent.

North Saanich Councillor Ceila Stock is proud of their budget. “Responsible financial management at the municipal, provincial or federal level means not only maintaining a balanced budget, and always being on the “look out” for savings’ mechanisms now – today, but also ensuring that we are budgeting for the future...”

In the City of Victoria, council voted to limit their tax rate increase to 3.25%, for the next three consecutive years.

Coun. King made an earlier attempt to address the budget last November, with a simply worded motion requesting, “Council support maintaining the 2013 budget at the 2012 level.”  The motion passed, but was later amended to allow for inflationary items, forcing Coun.King to oppose the motion.

“My intention in November was to introduce some fiscal discipline before the 2013 budget process” said King. “I am still willing to sit down and revisit this thing so people can have some peace of mind.”

Former Councillor Chris Graham recalls his council facing similar issues. “I understand the challenge council is facing with grant reductions, having previously gone through that experience with over a million dollars in annual grant funding being cut. However, budgets coming in over the rate of inflation every year is not sustainable. It is really hurting the taxpayer.”

According to Mayor Alastair Bryson, “We will continue to look for opportunities to reduce the tax lift, but Council is reluctant to cut services or to deplete the District’s reserves in order to do so. We are also concerned that deferring necessary infrastructure maintenance will lead to higher expenditures in the future.”

2013 Draft Budget Tax Rate Increases*:

Central Saanich 5.36%

Victoria 3.25%

Saanich 3.25%

Sidney 2.96%

Metchosin 2.30%

Sooke 1.68%

North Saanich 1.62%

Undetermined By Press Time: Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Oak Bay, View Royal

* Draft Budgets subject to change