Council invites residents to informal evening of conversation and budget information

Draft Five Year Financial Plan public review period is underway

The newly elected District of Squamish Council invites residents to an informal evening of conversation on November 29 between 5 and 8 p.m. at Brennan Park Recreation Centre (1009 Centennial Way). This is an opportunity for residents to meet the new Council and discuss topics that matter to them. Information on the proposed 2023-27 Financial Plan will be on hand, and comments will be invited from the public prior to the Financial Plan adoption in December. Light refreshments will be available.

The Budget Impact

The draft 2023-2027 Financial Plan represents an approximate $139 increase to the average 2022 residential assessment of $1,024,000 and represents an approximate $454 increase to the average 2022 business assessment of $1,300,000. These amounts result from a net 5.9% increase in the property tax revenue required to fund the 2023 budget, which reflects reductions from an estimated 3% of non-market growth and 1.5% from prior year tax savings.

“As the District continues to respond to external growth pressures and aging facilities and infrastructure, the budget pressures are being carefully balanced to accommodate short, medium and long-term needs,” says District of Squamish Mayor, Armand Hurford. “We’ve worked to balance the necessity for investment and spending in need areas, while keeping property tax increases in check. We’re looking forward to having this conversation with residents on the 29^th.”

Budget Key Drivers:

• Property taxes fund approximately 40% of the District’s annual budget.
  • The remaining 60% is funded by (approximately):
    • Sale of services (23%)
    • Developer contributions (16%)
    • Grants (14%)
    • Other revenue (7%)

• As District end-of-life facilities are replaced, the capital construction will result in debt financing costs that will impact the budget. Completion of the Valleycliffe Fire Hall results in debt financing costs added to 2023 expenses. 
• Community growth has driven the need to expand staffing and service levels to meet the needs of a larger community. Key drivers in this area are enhanced fire services to move to a 24-hour rotation of paid full-time fire coverage, and expanded transit services.
• New union contract settlements with the RCMP (first contract settled), transit drivers (following strike), fire fighters (move to 24-hour service) and anticipated new municipal unionized workers (CUPE) contract in 2023 all impact the cost of labour.
• Tax increases for 2023 have been mitigated by a 3% growth in the non-market change of property assessments, and a re-investment of prior year savings to stabilize this year’s tax rates.

How to Review the Budget

Residents can review the projects and service level changes included in the budget (and ask questions or provide feedback) at letstalksquamish.ca/budget-2023. Budget information boards will be available at Brennan Park Recreation Centre, Municipal Hall and the 55 Activity Centre for residents to review. A budget binder will also be available at the Squamish Public Library.

“Council is excited to connect with people across the community, and we invite everyone to drop in to say hello and discuss community priorities,” continues Hurford. “Above all, this is an opportunity for Squamish residents to meet their new Council in a casual setting, ask questions and talk about what matters to them. We’re looking forward to spending the evening with you.”

A supervised activity table will be available for children. This event is open to everyone, and an RSVP is not required.

Feedback can be provided at the event on November 29, or can be emailed to budgetfeedback@squamish.ca.

November 22, 2022