News release

For immediate release

Saanich launches budget education tool with draft 2020-2024 Financial Plan

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich’s draft 2020 to 2024 Financial Plan is now available and the new online budget education tool will launch March 3 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.

“We invite all Saanich residents to be curious and educate themselves about our financial planning process,” said Mayor Fred Haynes. “The new tool is a handy way to see for yourself the factors Council must consider when making critical funding decisions.”

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 2020 Saanich Police and Greater Victoria Public Library budgets all for Council’s consideration.

Educational resources

Saanich’s 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.

The tool is available at saanich.ca/budget from March 3 to April 3, 2020.

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

• Understanding how property assessments relate to property taxes
• Understanding how financial planning works in Saanich
• Saanich service delivery
• What is the Saanich Strategic Plan?
• How Saanich plans connect - coming soon

Share your input

Saanich will hold six budget meetings from now until mid-April with the first meeting March 3. At these open Committee of the Whole meetings, Saanich residents are welcome to share their feedback with Council during the public input sections. All of the meetings take place in Council Chambers and are available via live webcast if you’re not able to attend in person. The webcasts are recorded and include presentation materials to view at your convenience.

Residents can share their input on the draft plan anytime with Saanich staff via email at budget@saanich.ca and with Mayor and Council at council@saanich.ca.

Next steps

Council deliberates on the draft Financial Plan over the next couple of months. They will consider input received in person at the budget meetings and via email. Council must adopt the Financial Plan and Tax Rate Bylaws by May 15, 2020.

Learn more

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

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