Directors at the Sunshine Coast Regional District are poised to adopt a 2014 budget that means big tax increases for some of the rural areas.
Elphinstone is facing an increase of 10.31 per cent. Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek and West Howe Sound will see taxes rise between 5.3 and 7.3 per cent.
SCRD Chair Garry Nohr says several elements are driving taxes up this year: The need for work on rec facilities, costs for improvements to water and transit, and funding to run landfills.
But falling residential assessments also played a role and Nohr says there’s a lesson in that.
Nohr also says some of the spending, like energy upgrades, will end up saving money in the long run.
The other tax increase numbers are: Pender Harbour 1.75 per cent, Sechelt Indian Government District 14.57 per cent, Gibsons (SCRD portion only) 9.75 per cent, and Sechelt (SCRD portion only) 12.07 per cent.
The SCRD Board will adopt the budget at its March 27th meeting.
