Highlights of the 2021 Draft Budget

Budget highlights

• At present, the Central Saanich draft 2021 budget is balanced at $32.4 million. The District received $3,455,000 from the Canada-BC Safe Restart Grant for Local Governments to cover impacts of the pandemic on the District’s operations and cash flow. The budget is influenced by economic recovery and maintains one of the lowest business tax rates in the CRD.
• The 2021 draft budget is based on a property tax increase of 2.97%. The new costs enable the District to put away funds for future asset management/replacement, keep up with inflation, make improvements to public safety funding and build capacity in climate action, an area of focus for the District.
• Council is focused on the following priorities for 2020-2022.
• Invest in Road Safety, Transit and Safe, Accessible Active Transportation (An Active Transportation Plan is expected to be adopted in 2021 along with a financial strategy; for 2021, four projects are included in the budget subject to grant funding).
• Invest in Climate Action and a Healthy Environment (the proposed draft plan includes adding a permanent climate action staff member to lead the implementation of our Climate Leadership Plan).
• Focus on Strong Local Economy and Support Agriculture (we are maintaining one of the lowest tax rates for businesses in the CRD and investing in projects that will positively impact the local economy, such as the Saanichton Village Design Plan).
• Manage Responsible Growth (the Infill Housing regulations and Official Community Plan Review are included as special projects).