The regional district says they’re forecasting an increase in taxes for next year, and that could lead to many projects being left out to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
According to the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s (SCRD) preliminary budget draft, the budget for next year is already forecasted to exceed 2024, meaning some reallocation will have to be done as the district moves forward on projects.
“New 2025 proposals will further impact the draft Corporate Work Plan, potentially requiring a reprioritization of projects,” the report says. “These include adding additional staff or consultancy resources, deferring or abandoning existing projects, or abandoning current objectives.”
A total of 10 items are expected to be approved in round one of ‘mandatory projects’ with over $180,000 coming from taxation, $57,188 coming from support services, and over $1.2 million coming from reserves.
Some of the items the district feels would be on this immediate list are upgrades to the Chapman Raw Water pump station and intake, Somanes Creek compliance monitoring, and personal protective equipment for firefighting and issues that pertain to employee health and safety as well as benefits.
The report shows more cuts had to be made. Out of 19 initiatives brought forward in 2024 staff has recommended 10 be put on hold, but the district has eight projects nearing completion.
If all recommendations are endorsed, SCRD staff say the relief to residents and businesses could be as significant as dropping from a double-digit tax rate to anywhere between six to eight per cent.
The final tax rates are expected to be set on Feb. 13.
