After weeks of debate, Saanich has finalized its 2025 budget, approving an 8.02 per cent tax hike for residents.
Although the district managed to trim $1.64 million from its initial draft, originally forecasting an 8.84 per cent hike, it still fell just short of the goal of keeping the tax hike below eight per cent.
The final budget is set to increase taxes for the average Saanich residential property by over $300. When factoring in municipal utilities such as sewer, water, and garbage collection, homeowners are projected to pay around $550 more in 2025.
Despite having “wrestled” with the numbers, Mayor Dean Murdock said he and council did everything in their power to lessen the burden on taxpayers while delivering on the municipality's priorities.
“None of us look forward to passing on a tax increase to our residents, particularly one that comes in at eight per cent,” said Murdock. “We are always mindful of the impact on people's ability to pay, but we have to balance that with the needs of this municipality… that requires infrastructure renewal and replacement, public safety, road safety… None of that is cheap, but it is all absolutely necessary.”
Saanich’s draft 2025 budget totals $535.8 million, with $227 million allocated to the municipality’s operating budget, $199.8 million for its capital budget, and $114 million for sewer and water services.
The proposed $1.64 million budget reduction – equivalent to one per cent of the proposed tax increase - delays asset funding ($614,000), defers parkland acquisition ($300,000), and reduces the police budget ($160,000), among other measures.
While praising both council and staff for doing a “fabulous job” on the final budget, Coun. Nathalie Chambers expressed disappointment that it does not include funding for two new constables for the mental health co-response teams, among other initiatives.
“We run a tight ship around here, and compared to other municipalities, I don't know if we win the prize, but we're pretty good,” said Chambers.
