The impact in each electoral area varies depending on the services provided and changes in assessment values.
The increase in each area is as follows:
Area A – 3.72%
Area B – 9.17%
Area D – 8.47%
Area E – 7.13%
Area F – 6.00%
Sechelt Indian Government District – .34%
District of Sechelt – 6.18%
Town of Gibsons – 4.72%
Over 53 new proposals came forward for the SCRD Board’s consideration, totaling over two point 7 million dollars.
Besides increases for salaries and benefits, changes as a result of the New Employer Health Tax, and increases to ongoing operating contracts to maintain services projects approved for the 2019-2023 Financial Plan include video streaming of committee and Board meetings, upgrades at the Sechelt Landfill, increased bylaw enforcement, increased support to Fire Services and the Sunshine Coast Emergency Program, and funds to maintain parks and recreation facilities.
The largest taxation funded project approved for 2019 was for the Ports facilities, to ensure ongoing capital maintenance in the amount of 333,000 dollars.
The most notable change for community partners and stakeholders was increased funding for the Sechelt Public Library, where contributions from Halfmoon Bay and Pender Harbour went up 36 per cent over 2018 in support of more sustainable funding and increased services.
The SCRD also revised user rates and parcel taxes for 2019.
For North and South Pender water, rates, and parcel taxes increased by a little over 28 dollars, Regional Water increased by over 18 dollars, and refuse collection went up by a little over 7 dollars per household.
