Saanich encourages budget education with new tool

March 1, 2021

News release

For immediate release

Saanich encourages budget education with new tool

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich’s draft 2021 to 2025 Financial Plan is now available and the online budget education tool will launch March 2 to coincide with the first budget meeting. The tool provides an opportunity for citizens to learn about the financial planning process while Council deliberates the draft plan.

“I invite all Saanich residents, especially property owners who are interested in learning how their tax dollars are spent, to take a few moments to try out the tool,” said Mayor Fred Haynes. “It’s an easy way to learn about our financial planning process and the critical funding decisions Council must make every year.”

The draft Financial Plan is based on guidelines adopted by Council last summer. The draft plan includes the annual budget for the municipality as well as the proposed 2021 Saanich Police and Greater Victoria Public Library budgets all for Council’s consideration.

Educational resources

The online budget education tool is available for all residents to explore and learn. The real-time results allow residents to see how budget changes could impact their property taxes. Saanich used the tool for the first time in 2020 and saw more than 300 visitors to the site. Comments submitted by residents in the tool will be provided to Council as citizen feedback.

The tool is available at saanich.ca/budget for the month of March.

Residents may also review a variety of informational fact sheets to help them learn about Saanich’s important decision-making processes:

Share your input

Saanich will hold six budget meetings from now until mid-April. At these Committee of the Whole meetings, Saanich residents are welcome to share their feedback with Council during the public input sections.

As a reminder, the public is not able to attend Council meetings in person at this time. All Councils meetings are available via live webcast only. The webcasts are recorded and include presentation materials to view at your convenience.

You can share your input by:

  • Emailing budget@saanich.ca or council@saanich.ca by noon on the day of the meeting;
  • Mailing or dropping off at the Municipal Hall drop box by noon on the day of the meeting; or
  • Registering to call in and speak at the meeting. Registration details are available on the meeting agenda.

Next steps

Council deliberates on the draft Financial Plan over the next couple of months. Council must adopt the Financial Plan and Tax Rate Bylaws by May 15, 2021.

Learn more

Access the budget education tool, budget meeting schedule, draft Financial Plan, and other educational resources at saanich.ca/budget.

-30-

Media contact:
Valla Tinney
Director of Finance
250-475-5521
valla.tinney@saanich.ca