Saanich council has settled on a property tax hike of 7.91 percent for this year as they work on a new five-year financial plan for the district.
The final version of the plan, along with the tax increase, will go back in front of council for final approval in April.
This would mean an average Saanich homeowner will see their tax bill rise by almost $300.
The original version of the plan had included a tax hike of 8.69 per cent, but councillors had sent it back to district staff asking them to try to get it under 8.
Tax hikes have gotten larger each of the past four years in the district.
Much of this year’s increase is blamed on higher labour costs and spending on large capital projects.
Another big slice of the budget is spent on police, with a 9.74 percent increase in the police budget this year due to increased operating costs and negotiated wage increases.
That is responsible for 2.59 per cent of this year’s proposed property tax increase.
Utilities are separate and rates are also on the rise, albeit at a slightly slower pace than property taxes.
Under the new financial plan, Sewer rates are set to go up 4.25 per cent, water rates will rise 6.13 per cent, and garbage collection fees will be hiked 7.89 per cent.
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