News Release
90 News Projects for SCRD Budget 2023
February 10, 2023
After three days of budget discussions, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board will consider 90 new projects and initiatives for 2023. These new projects, combined with carry forward projects from previous years mean that 260 projects and initiatives may move forward to be actioned in 2023 once the budget is adopted in March.
The SCRD’s budget process involves four public meetings.
- Pre-budget meeting. At this meeting, SCRD staff provide information on new budget proposals for projects and initiatives for the coming year. The SCRD Board give feedback on these proposals, including areas where they would like further information to assist with decision making for the next round of budget meetings. The SCRD Board also contemplate projects that are yet to be completed from prior years (known as carry forward projects) so that they can factor workload on staff into their decision making. These meetings took place in December 2022.
- Round one budget meetings. At this meeting new budget proposals which are now accompanied by further information including a business case summary for the proposed project / initiative are brought forward to the SCRD Board. The SCRD Board also receive presentations from community partners for service supported by the SCRD. During this meeting, budget proposals are either deferred to another year, denied or moved ahead to round two budget discussions. At this point, projected implications around taxation for the community are also presented to the Board. These meetings took place last week. You can watch the meetings here on the SCRD’s YouTube channel and download the full agenda package for the meetings here.
- Round two budget meetings. Budget proposals that were not fully approved at round one are brought forward and a final decision is made as to whether or not they are to be incorporated into the financial plan for the upcoming year. Projected implications for taxation are again presented to the Board. The Round 2 meetings have been rescheduled from February 21-22 to March 2 to allow the Board more time to review Budget related impacts to taxation.
- Adoption of financial plan. Following budget meetings, the financial plan – incorporating all projects and initiatives that have been moved through and discussed at the budget meetings is adopted by the SCRD Board. The budget adoption is due to take place on March 23.
The main drivers for taxation increases in this year’s budget are:
- Over $5.3 million dollars for the Regional Water Service which will include the replacement of the ultraviolet treatment system at Chapman Water Treatment Plant.
- Over $5 million dollars of investment in recreation facilities which will include a roof replacement for the Gibsons and Area Community Centre.
- Additional resourcing requests due to potentially 260+ projects moving forward into 2023.
- As with governments across the Province, the SCRD is also experiencing increased cost in operations and maintenance for all the services it provides.
Preliminary Property Tax Rates
After Round One Budget, the following are the preliminary average SCRD tax rates area per $100,000 of assessed value of homes.
The figures below are not final and only cover the SCRD portion of your tax bill. More detailed information on each of the taxation areas below will be available in the updated SCRD Financial Plan prior to Round Two Budget.
Calculating the preliminary SCRD portion of your tax bill
You can calculate the preliminary 2023 SCRD portion of your tax bill in three steps:
- Take the assessed value of your home which can be found here at BC Assessment.
- Divide the assessed value of your home by $100,000.
- Multiply that figure by the 2023 preliminary amounts outlined above based off of your Electoral Area or Municipality.
For example: If your home is worth $800,000 and the preliminary 2023 SCRD tax rate is $200 then the SCRD portion of your tax bill would be 8 x $200 = $1600.
Information Sessions. In-person and Virtual
On Monday February 13, 2023, SCRD staff and directors will take part in information sessions for the budget. Times and dates for these sessions are below along with links to join the meetings.
At 12:00 noon on Monday, February 13, the community is welcome to join an information session in-person from the SCRD Boardroom at 1975 Field Road, Sechelt. If you would rather join this session virtually, you can do so by clicking here.
Later that evening, SCRD staff and directors will host another information session, this time virtually at 6 p.m. You can join this session by clicking here.
Stay up to date with the budget and ask questions at any time at letstalk.scrd.ca/budget.
All Water Conservation Regulations Lifted on the Sunshine Coast
February 6, 2023
After periods of significant rainfall over the past two months, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has lifted Stage 1 water conservation regulations on the Chapman Water System.
SCRD staff continue to monitor creek flows and snowpack in the Chapman Watershed. The extended drought period, followed by freezing temperatures at Chapman Lake, added a level of uncertainty and unpredictability for water supply in the fall and winter months. Staff visited Chapman Lake last week, and along with creek flow data, have determined that there is sufficient water supply to lift all water conservation regulations at this time.
The SCRD’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has also been stepped down. In the coming weeks, staff will complete tasks from the EOC and are integrating learnings from the past year into our emergency response plans.
Some pictures taken last week at Chapman Lake are below.
Water Projects
Three major projects will move forward this year to assist with water supply for the Chapman Water System. These include:
Church Road Well Field
Pump tests are continuing at the Church Road Well Field as staff look to bring the well online. There have been significant delays due to unforeseen supply chain issues. This project will add up to five million litres of water per day to the Chapman Water System.
Water Meter Installation in Sechelt
SCRD staff anticipate that a contractor will be in place by late March to install about 4,800 water meters in Sechelt. This project is a high priority and will help increase water awareness and efficiency amongst all SCRD water users. Further information will be shared when available.
Langdale Well Field
Contractors will be on-site near the Langdale Ferry Terminal throughout February. The work will include pump tests to better understand the aquifer and to estimate the potential well capacity. The results from the wells have been favourable, and the SCRD will soon begin the water licence application process.
“I want to once again thank our community for conserving water these past few months, your contributions helped secure water supply on the Chapman Water System,” says SCRD Board Chair Leonard Lee. “Our staff are hard at work on projects to further diversify our water supply as we prepare for any further impacts of climate change and likely associated drought conditions on the Sunshine Coast this summer.”
Stay up to date on water projects at letstalk.scrd.ca/water
It’s time to have your say on the Community Climate Action Plan
January 31, 2023
This past year showed how the climate crisis affects day to day life on the Sunshine Coast. High summer temperatures, damage due to storms and a record-breaking drought period that resulted in a State of Local Emergency, the climate emergency needs our response – now.
So what can be done in the face of this climate emergency? This is where the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) wants to hear from you.
The SCRD is leading the creation of a new regional Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) to reduce emissions and enhance our region’s resiliency to the effects of a changing climate, and we need our community to help build the plan.
The SCRD recently completed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and found that emissions have increased by 7.2% since 2007. Emissions mostly came from transportation (48%), industry and construction (30%), and residential buildings (mostly from home heating) (10%).
A climate risk assessment has also been done for the community. The findings show that there are significant risks to public health, essential infrastructure and homes from extreme weather events, and increasing risk of loss of biodiversity and ecosystem damage from rising sea levels and warmer temperatures both on land, and in the ocean.
The Community Climate Action Plan is a multi-year project. Today, we need your input on a questionnaire so that we can get a sense of the work and initiatives that the community would like to see being brought forward as the plan comes together.
Respond to the questionnaire at letstalk.scrd.ca/climate. On this community page you can find out more about the project and have a chance to provide feedback and ideas. It will take you less than ten minutes to complete the questionnaire which closes on Monday, February 27. Your responses will help form a plan that will be integral to how our region responds to the climate emergency.
Traffic Disruptions at Reed and Henry Road
January 20, 2023
Watermain replacements at Reed & Henry Road will result in minor traffic disruptions for the next four weeks.
The work will begin on Monday, January 23 and weather permitting, is expected to last up to four weeks. The work will involve excavation and installation of new waterline along the shoulder of Henry Road and will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
There will be lane closures on both Reed Road and Henry Road for the duration of the work. In addition, water service interruptions for residents in the area are expected in late February as the work concludes. This service interruption will be communicated ahead of time via www.scrd.ca and the SCRD’s Facebook Page.
A map of the affected area is below.
Contact Us
Aidan Buckley
Manager, Communications and Engagement
Phone: 604-885-6800 Ext. 6123
Cellular: 604-885-8052
Email: aidan.buckley@scrd.ca