Friday, March 15, 2024 – After receiving service area presentations on March 13th Council has directed staff to bring forward a revised five-year financial plan that includes a 10.53% lift to general municipal taxes to the March 25th Council meeting. For residential taxes, this is equivalent to $147.12 per year or $12.26 per month increase for the average assessed property in Sooke.
The investments being made within the proposed budget include:
Community Safety:
- Transitioning to 24/7 policing;
- Continued support of 24/7 fire rescue services; and
- Additional Bylaw Officer.
Transportation Infrastructure:
- Church/Throup Roundabout (2023-2024 Project);
- Charters Road North (2024-2025 Project);
- Little River Pedestrian Crossing (2024-2025 Project);
- $400,000 investment in bridge maintenance (Connie Road Bridge, Todd Creek Bridge, Phillips Road Bridge);
- $150,000 towards the annual patch and pave program; and
- Transit Stop, Streetlight, and Crosswalk Improvements.
Transportation Design (Transportation and Community Planning):
- Charters South Road Design (Construction anticipated for 2025);
- Charters Intersection Design (Construction anticipation for 2025);
- Ella Road Design (Construction anticipated for 2025);
- Throup Connector Design (Construction anticipation for 2026-2027, pending funding);
- Phillips Road Design (Construction anticipation for 2027, pending funding);
- Wadams Transit Exchange Design (Construction alongside development of “Lot A”);
Community Planning:
- Asset Management Program (2% Contribution identified for 2024);
- Stakeholder Engagement on a New Subdivision Standards Bylaw;
- Stakeholder Engagement on DCC Updates; and
- OCP Re-engagement and implementation/application of new Provincial Housing Legislation.
Parks, Greenspaces and Environment:
- Ravens Ridge Park Enhancements (2023-2024 Project);
- $150,000 towards annual rain/stormwater management;
- $100,000 towards annual playground program;
- $75,000 towards pier and boardwalk maintenance and repairs;
- $75,000 towards park asset maintenance and repairs; and
- Renewal of the Community Climate Action Seed Funding Program
Municipal services account for less than half of what is collected on the annual property tax bill.
In 2023, the municipal portion represented 44% of taxes collected.
The District collects taxes on behalf of other agencies so that you have one bill to deal with as opposed to multiple. Other taxing agencies included on your property tax bill are the Capital Regional District, Provincial School Tax, Capital Regional Hospital, BC Transit, Regional Library, BC Assessment and Municipal Finance Authority.
Residents are encouraged to attend or tune in to the upcoming meeting. Comments on the draft budget can be received by email to budget@sooke.ca.
A Community budget Open House is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 2:00 pm to 7:30 pm at Sooke municipal hall, 2205 Otter Point Road.
What happens after the budget is adopted?
Following adoption, the District will receive third-party tax information in the spring.
Once third-party tax information is received, the Tax Rate Bylaw will be presented to Council in April. Subsequently, property tax notices will be mailed out in late May or early June, with payments due by July 2, 2024.
As property taxes are being collected, preparations for the 2025 budget will commence, with the Annual Budget Survey available from mid-June to mid-August. Residents will also have opportunities to connect with Council members and staff throughout the summer at various engagements, including local markets and community events.
Attend the March 25th meeting in person, starting at 7:00 pm, at municipal hall, 2205 Otter Point Road, or watch the live-stream from home. As always, a recording of the public meeting will be available for residents to view at their convenience. Find related links at sooke.ca/meetings.
Learn more:
Related announcements:
- March 6, 2024 – Service Level and Capital Budget Discussions
- February 26, 2024 – Staff Introduce Draft 2024 Budget
- November 16, 2023 – Budget What We Heard Report Available
- June 23, 2023 – Public Invited to Participate in 2024 Budget Survey
Community Contact:
District of Sooke Reception
Tel: 250.642.1634
Email: budget@sooke.ca
Media contact:
Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator
Tel: 250.642.1634
Email: cmoog@sooke.ca
Updated:
- March 19, 2024, 8:27am: Correction percentage increase is 10.53% and not 10.58%
- March 18, 2024, 8:39am: Correction made on a categorization of items listed.