During a budget meeting on Monday night, Central Saanich council discussed a possible tax increase of 1.8 per cent over last year.
Last year’s rate sat at 3.56 per cent and the proposal so far for this year is a hike up to 5.36 per cent. Mayor Alastair Bryson said the budget is a work in progress and council and staff will work together to see how the numbers can be solidified before the final budget deadline.
“It’s definitely a work in progress, and we’re seeing the increase coming from a significant decrease in revenue for the municipality,” said Bryson Tuesday.
“There are a couple of major factors facing us where we’ll see a shortfall of around $324,000.”
The $324,000 shortfall comes from two areas of the District’s revenue. One half comes from cuts in provincial traffic fine revenue sharing and other from a decrease in the small community grants the district receives from the province.
Bryson added that overall the district’s expenses are on the decline.
The official budget deadline is May 15.