The District of Sechelt has adopted their five-year financial plan, and residents can expect a property tax increase of 8.62 per cent.
According to the district, the tax rate increase includes 5.62 per cent for operations in 2025, also an increase of three per cent for capital reserves as well as increases for sewage for both residential and commercial users.
According to a report, residential rates for sewers increased by 3.95 per cent ($26.85) to $709.25, while commercial fees increased at the same percentage as residential.
The budget summary shows much of the district’s income is derived from taxation and other levies (41 per cent) while 29 per cent is provided through capital grants and contributions with most of the expenditures (19 per cent) going to ‘general government’, 16 per cent to sewer operating, and 14 per cent going to policing costs.
Photo credit: District 2025-2029 Financial Plan
According to a staff report, taxation and levies rose to $15,634,584 which was over by $1.3 million in 2024 and includes $42,018 from new construction in 2024.
Photo credit: District of Sechelt 2025-2029 Financial Plan
The increased costs to the sewer network is $532,965 rising to a total of $3,867,692 and they say sewer capital for 2025 is budgeted at $3,519,258 with planned funding for capital including reserves, grants, user fees and development cost charges.
As an example, the district says a property assessed at $996,935 would have to pay an increase of $254 for 2025, whereas a business assessed at $1.6 million this year would pay an increase of $1,098.
Tax notices are scheduled to be sent out at the end of May.
