Council accomplished their overarching goal of maintaining an annual tax increase below the rate of inflation with this year’s budget, but Sidney residents can still expect some significant improvements to their community in the coming years, says Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith.
On March 7, council approved the 2023-2027 financial plan with a tax increase for 2023 of 4.57 per cent, an operating budget of $26.6 million and a capital budget of $15.3 million. McNeil-Smith said that despite the “conservative budgeting” approach council took during the budget process, capital infrastructure projects and grants for community organizations and projects are still plentiful.
“We always want to ensure a high-level of core services residents expect at all times, as well as having healthy reserves and well-maintained infrastructure into the future,” said McNeil-Smith. “The two largest infrastructure projects will be the Beacon West roundabout, which is in partnership with (Victoria International Airport) and (the District of) North Saanich, and Galaran Road will get a new sidewalk, curbs and paving, and that’s a significant $1.8-million project.”
Several parks improvements also feature in the budget, with Brethour Park and Rathdown Park set to see changes. Brethour Park will see $680,000 invested into it between now and 2026, while Rathdown Park will see $337,000 invested between now and 2025.
READ MORE: Sidney council whittles down property tax increase for 2023 budget
Beyond the approved capital spending, McNeil-Smith said council was particularly proud of its efforts over the last few budgets to increase its community funding support.
“These non-profits really provide important services and quality-of-life improvements to the community,” he said. “This year, we approved $250,000 to the Peninsula Soccer Turf Field project, which they have been trying to implement for many years, and we are pleased to be joining our neighbouring municipalities in supporting that project.”
Another community project being funded this budget is the Parkland Secondary School track replacement in partnership with School District 63 and the Mary Winspear Centre organizations which own the land. That involves an $83,000 contribution from the town. The town has also renewed its $60,000 grant to the Sidney Business Improvement Area Society to support their business development support program started in the pandemic.
“We also have our on-going support to 10 or more community organizations - these are some of the more one-off projects we are providing significant support to.”
McNeil-Smith said the town’s long history of maintaining healthy financial reserves has been key to allowing staff and council to produce and approve budgets which include just over 100 capital projects and around 35 supplemental items in the operating budget without having to increase the tax rate to pay for them.
READ MORE: Sidney diverts $25K to Peninsula Streams Society for Mermaid Creek restoration
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