Later this week, the Sunshine Regional District (SCRD) Board will consider adoption of the 2024 budget. This year’s budget includes 101 new projects and 151 projects which are carried forward from prior years. Many of these projects are aligned with the SCRD Board’s two Strategic Plan focus areas of water stewardship and solid waste solutions.

This year, the SCRD’s budget process involved three public meetings.

1. Round one budget meetings. At this meeting new budget proposals were brought forward to the SCRD Board. The SCRD Board also contemplated 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. The SCRD Board also received 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.
2. Round two budget meetings. Budget proposals that were not fully approved at round one were brought forward and a final decision made as to whether or not they are to be incorporated into the financial plan for the upcoming year. Projected implications for taxation were again presented to the Board.
3. 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 February 22, 2024.

Community consultation took place throughout the budget process with virtual information sessions, a Lets Talk Budget webpage and news releases.

Several projects are moving forward for adoption in this year’s budget. They include:

Solid Waste – SCRD staff have identified an opportunity to increase the lifespan of the Sechelt Landfill by relocating the contact water pond, which manages storm water that comes into contact with solid waste. An options analysis and conceptual design were completed in 2023, with detailed design and regulatory approvals in progress. This project is expected to extend landfill life by approximately four years until mid to late 2030 at less than half the cost of exporting waste. This project will be funded through a provincial grant, offsetting the tax impact.

Recreation – In 2024, a thorough needs assessment will be conducted for recreation in the Region. This process will include community engagement to help inform the future of recreation services on the Sunshine Coast.

Parks – To ensure the long-term health and resilience of Cliff Gilker sports field turf, in 2024, staff will engage professionals to connect a field irrigation system to an onsite well. This will ensure that irrigation is available for the field and that potable water is utilized for the community. This project will be funded through a grant.

Ports: Additional funds have been committed to fund repairs and capital improvements to five of the docks that serve Gambier and Keats Island.  Most of these will be funded through grants to offset the tax burden to residents.

Transit: The SCRD Board has moved forward with increasing transit service for main routes starting in late 2024 as well as a plan which would allow for free access to transit for youth.

Water – Several water projects have been included for the North and South Pender and Regional Water Service. These projects focus on increasing supply, and ongoing maintenance of the aging water system. Projects include continued exploration of groundwater sources, work on a raw water reservoir, rehabilitation of watermains and maintenance of the Chapman Water Treatment Plant.

Staffing – Several staff positions are moving forward to budget adoption. Among these are more resources for the SCRD’s planning department which will allow for more capacity for front counter service and to work on applications.

Preliminary Property Tax Rates

After Round Two Budget, the following are the preliminary average SCRD tax rates by 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 adoption of the budget.

Calculating the preliminary SCRD portion of your tax bill

You can calculate the preliminary 2024 SCRD portion of your tax bill in three steps:

1. Take the assessed value of your home which can be found here at BC Assessment.
2. Divide the assessed value of your home by $100,000.
3. Multiply that figure by the 2024 preliminary amounts outlined above based off of your Electoral Area or Municipality.

For example: If your home is worth $800,000 and the preliminary 2024 SCRD tax rate is $200 then the SCRD portion of your tax bill would be 8 x $200 = $1600.

Stay up to date with the budget, watch information sessions that were held in January and ask questions at any time at letstalk.scrd.ca/budget. 

Budget adoption will be considered during the SCRD Board meeting on Thursday, February 22. The meeting agenda and information on how to join can be found at www.scrd.ca/agendas. 

Every day, staff at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) receive questions and requests about services that the SCRD is not responsible for.

We get it. It can be confusing. For example, if you live in Sechelt you receive your curbside collection service from the District of Sechelt, your water from the SCRD and if you are driving on the highway and spot an issue, you need to contact the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Equally in the rural areas, the services you receive differ based on which area you are living in.

To help the community better understand who they receive certain services such as water, solid waste and roads from, the SCRD has developed two resources.

The first is a handout that explains services the SCRD provides versus other governments on the Sunshine Coast. This handout, which includes contact information for SCRD departments can be found here. This handout will also be made available at front counter in the SCRD’s main administration office on Field Road.

The second resource is map based, and allows residents to search their address to find out who is providing services to them. The ‘Who you gonna call’ map outlines the main services provided by local governments and the Provincial Government on the Sunshine Coast. The map can be found here and linked at www.scrd.ca/contact-us. Just type in your address to find out who provides services to your home.

Both resources will constantly be finetuned as the SCRD receives more information and input.

If you search your address and spot any information that does not appear to be accurate, please reach out to the SCRD’s mapping department at mapping@scrd.ca

Ahead of Round 2 Budget Discussions, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will host two virtual budget information sessions next week.

During these sessions, staff will provide an overview of projects being considered for 2024 and information on where tax dollars will be spent in the coming year. There will also be lots of time for questions.

Joining the session
Information on how to join the sessions can be found below.

Information Session #1 – Monday, January 22 at 6 p.m.
Click here to join on Zoom.

Information Session #2 – Wednesday, January 24 at 6 p.m.
Click here to join on Zoom.

Both sessions will also be streamed on the SCRD’s YouTube channel.

Let’s Talk Budget
Ask questions ahead of time and learn more about this year’s budget on our community information space at letstalk.scrd.ca/budget.

Round 2 Budget discussions take place on February 5, 2024.

Snowfall in the region has caused disruption to several SCRD services today. These service alerts have been shared on the SCRD’s Facebook Page and website through the morning. A list of affected services can be found below.

Closed
Field Road Main Administration Building
Sechelt Landfill
Pender Harbour Transfer Station

Closed for now
All SCRD recreation facilities. An update on whether these facilities may open later today will be provided by 3 p.m.

Cancelled
There is no Cursbide Collection service today for the Halfmoon Bay (green and pink) service area. All bins not collected this week will be collected next week along with what is already scheduled for next week. Stay up to date with curbside service alerts. Sign up today at www.scrd.ca/curbside-schedule.

Rescheduled 
Tomorrow’s Regional Hospital District Meeting has been rescheduled to January 25th, 2024 at 9 a.m. The Electoral Area Services committee meeting will proceed as scheduled.

Disrupted
Due to snow accumulation, there are disruptions to Transit service. The best way to stay up to date on these disruptions is by signing up for Transit alerts or checking the Transit alerts page that can be found linked here.

Roads
For questions about snow removal, please contact Capilano Highways at 604-983-2411 or email info@capilanohighways.ca

Parks
There are several updates on parks, sports fields and Dakota Ridge. These are being updated at www.scrd.ca/service-alerts.

Stay tuned to the SCRD on Facebook and the SCRD website for further updates through the day.

Snowfall in the region is continuing to cause disruption to SCRD services. An updated list of affected services can be found below.

Closed
Field Road Main Administration Building
Sechelt Landfill
Pender Harbour Transfer Station
All SCRD recreation facilities (Gibsons and Area Community Centre, Gibsons Pool, Sechelt Pool, Sunshine Coast Arena, Pender Harbour Pool)

Cancelled
There is no Cursbide Collection service today for the Halfmoon Bay (green and pink) service area. All bins not collected this week will be collected next week along with what is already scheduled for next week. Stay up to date with curbside service alerts. Sign up today at www.scrd.ca/curbside-schedule.

Disrupted
Due to snow accumulation, there are disruptions to Transit service. BC Transit’s Alert platform has been experiencing technical issues through the day. The SCRD is working to update the SCRD Facebook Page with the latest Transit information.

Roads
For questions about snow removal, please contact Capilano Highways at 604-983-2411 or email info@capilanohighways.ca

Parks
There are several updates on parks, sports fields and Dakota Ridge. These will be updated at www.scrd.ca/service-alerts.

Stay tuned to the SCRD on Facebook and the SCRD website for further updates for the rest of today and tomorrow morning.

A special weather statement for the Sunshine Coast is calling for snow, potentially up 20 cm in the region tomorrow, Wednesday January 17.

As a result of this information, there will be delayed openings for all SCRD recreation facilities, the Sechelt Landfill and the Pender Harbour Transfer Station. An update on potential opening times for these facilities will be provided before 10 a.m.

There may also be delays to curbside collection through the day so please stay tuned to the SCRD website and Facebook for updates.

BC Transit’s Umo (pronounced “you-mo”) electronic fare system is now live in the Sunshine Coast Transit System. Umo introduces contactless payment methods and new fare products that improve the transit experience by allowing riders to pick the best options for their lifestyle and travel habits.

New payment methods include the Umo Mobility app and a reloadable Umo card. The Umo Mobility app is free in the Apple App and Google Play stores. Once downloaded, riders create an account to purchase and manage their fare products. When ready to travel, riders open their app to display a dynamic QR code that serves as their fare product. As riders board the bus, they present their app’s QR code to a new onboard validator. The Umo app also provides riders with additional tools to help them plan their trip including real-time information and maps.

Riders alternatively have the choice of using a reloadable Umo card. A Umo card can be picked up for free from a BC Transit Umo vendor. The card is designed for continued use and can be continually topped up with fare products through a vendor, online at ca.umopass.com, or through Umo’s customer service call centre at 877-380-8181. When boarding, riders tap their card at the new onboard validator. Riders are recommended to register their card by creating a Umo account online or through the Umo customer service call centre using the unique number on the back of their card. Registering a Umo card will safeguard fare products in the event a card is misplaced. BC Transit Umo fare vendors on the Sunshine Coast include the Regional District Administration Office, Sechelt Aquatic Centre, Gibson Public Library, and the Gibson and Area Community Centre.

Umo’s arrival introduces changes and improvements to some of the fare products riders use with the introduction of the 30-Day Pass and Cash Balance fare products. The 30-Day Pass, replacing the existing Monthly Pass as of February 1, can be activated at any time and provides riders with unlimited trips during a continuous 30-day period. Cash Balance, an alternative to cash and tickets, is a pre-paid dollar amount loaded to the Umo app or reloadable card, which riders draw from as trips are taken. While it is expected most riders will find one of Umo’s new payment methods a more convenient option, cash will continue to be accepted for those who prefer to use it. Riders interested in continuing to use tickets can continue to purchase them via the vendor network at the new price of $20.00.

The Sunshine Coast’s onboard DayPASS fare product is improved with Umo’s arrival by increasing the number of ways riders can access it and by lowering a rider’s commitment to purchasing it. Riders paying with a Cash Balance fare product will have their fare capped and automatically converted to a DayPASS after payment on their second trip of the day. This means regardless of a rider’s chosen Umo payment method, a rider will never pay more than two times the value of a cash fare for unlimited daily travel in the Sunshine Coast transit system. A rider will know a DayPASS has been applied to their payment method by referencing a confirmation message on the onboard validator’s digital screen.

BC Transit’s Umo customer service call centre is live for support. Riders can call 877-380-8181 toll-free from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to have their questions answered or receive support. For more information on Umo, including video tutorials and frequently asked questions visit bctransit.com/umo.

At a future date, BC Transit plans to provincially enable onboard payments with debit and credit cards.

Armed with fresh snow and groomed trails, the Dakota Ridge winter recreational area is scheduled to open for another busy season on Thursday, January 11.

Dakota Ridge is a pristine winter recreational area on a 1,532-acre plateau that features 20 kilometres of world class cross-country ski trails (classic and skate), 4 kilometres of groomed snowshoe trails, 3 kilometres of wilderness snowshoe trails, and a sledding area.

All terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and snow bikes are not permitted in Dakota Ridge. There is, however, an access trail that can be used by these types of recreational vehicles to get to terrain beyond the Dakota Ridge winter recreational area.

In past years, trails which are impeccably maintained by dedicated volunteers have been destroyed by off-road vehicles which in turn creates hazardous conditions for skiers. It is extremely important for motorized recreational vehicle users to be responsible and respectful of the non-motorized winter recreation area.

In addition to the above, SCRD staff would like to remind visitors to Dakota Ridge that the road servicing the area is a logging road and that, although it is plowed on a regular basis, winter conditions should be expected. Please use caution, adjust your driving to the conditions, and be prepared to stop or pull over if you meet a truck on the road.  Access is restricted to four-wheel drive vehicles with winter tires and chains

Regular updates on road conditions are available on the Dakota Ridge webpage at www.scrd.ca/dakota-ridge

The first round of budget discussions have wrapped up at the Sunshine Coast Regional District with 42 new projects moving forward.

This year, the SCRD’s budget process involves two public meetings.

1. Round one budget meetings. At this meeting new budget proposals were brought forward to the SCRD Board. The SCRD Board also contemplated 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. The SCRD Board also received 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. 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.
2. 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. This meeting will take place on February 5.
3. 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 February 22, 2024.

Some new projects coming forward in this year’s budget include;

Solid Waste –  SCRD staff have identified an opportunity to increase the lifespan of the Sechelt Landfill by relocating the contact water pond, which manages storm water that comes into contact with solid waste. An options analysis and conceptual design were completed in 2023, with detailed design and regulatory approvals in progress. This project is expected to extend landfill life by approximately four years until mid to late 2030 at less than half the cost of exporting waste.

Recreation – In 2024, a thorough needs assessment will be conducted for recreation in the Region. This process will include community engagement to help inform the future of recreation services on the Sunshine Coast.

Parks – To ensure the long-term health and resilience of Cliff Gilker sports field turf, in 2024, staff will engage professionals to connect a field irrigation system to an onsite well. This will ensure that irrigation is available for the field and that potable water is utilized for the community.

Fire Departments –Investments in fire departments including additional personnel, vehicles and equipment are coming forward for consideration in Round 2 budget discussions.

Water – Several water projects have been included for discussion in Round 2. These projects focus on increasing supply, and ongoing maintenance of the aging water system. Projects include the development of a well field in Langdale, continued work on a raw water reservoir, rehabilitation of watermains and maintenance of the Chapman Water Treatment Plant.

Staffing – Requests for staffing are being considered as part of Round 2 Budget Discussions. These requests were not discussed during Round 1 as an organizational review is being undertaken at the SCRD. Results and a report from the organizational review will be provided to the SCRD Board in advance of Round 2 discussions.

Information Sessions
SCRD staff and directors will take part in virtual information sessions for the budget. These sessions will include further information such as potential taxation implications and more details on projects for 2024. Times and dates for these sessions are below. Links to join the meetings will be provided in mid-January.

• Monday, January 22 at 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 24 at 6:00 p.m.

Learn more and ask questions at any time about the budget at letstalk.scrd.ca/budget