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Special (Open) Council - 2026/08/10

District of Central Saanich · Mon, Aug 10, 2026 18:00 · Council Chambers

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Summary

AI summary · check against sources

Council set early direction for the 2027 budget, including continued asset-replacement contributions and a plan to consider how growth-related tax revenue should be used. The sharpest debate was over whether to leave some financial-policy decisions to the incoming Council: that deferral failed, and the current Council approved the guidelines. Council also approved most of $1.059 million in early capital work, while asking for a detailed cost explanation for Butterfield’s heritage-building roof and Fire Hall 1 mechanical work. For policing, Council asked the Police Board to aim for a budget increase below 5% and provide quarterly financial updates, even as the Board’s chair said unavoidable pressures could push its increase above that level.

Generated from the recording's captions and the official minutes.

What was discussed

AI summary · check against sources

3.1 Agenda of the August 10, 2026 Special (Open) Council Meeting

governance1:00 Watch · Read

Council approved the meeting agenda as circulated.

Agreement
  • No opposition was recorded.
Carried, unanimousItem 3.11:00 Watch · Read

Routine: approve the agenda as circulated.

Official wording: That the agenda of the August 10, 2026 Special (Open) Council meeting be approved as circulated.
Not voting: Gordon Newton (absent)

4.1 2027 Financial Plan Guidelines

budget finance1:48 Watch · Read

Staff asked Council to set assumptions for preparing the 2027 budget: keep municipal service levels at 2026 levels, account for non-discretionary costs, continue planned asset-management contributions and prepare water and sewer budgets in line with existing rate plans and known cost pressures. Staff’s early estimate put the average home’s tax increase at 5.5–7%; they later clarified that the operating increase was estimated at 2.75–3.75%, with a separate 1.75% asset-management contribution and police and library budgets still to be considered. Council approved the guidelines. Councillor Thompson proposed sending the reserve-bylaw and growth-revenue policies to the incoming Council, but that deferral was defeated; Council then approved those policies as part of the guidelines.

Agreement
  • Staff need direction now to prepare the detailed 2027 budget, which is expected to come forward in early 2027.
  • The district should continue planning for long-term infrastructure renewal and known water and sewer cost pressures.
  • Staff should develop options for how new-construction revenue might help pay for growth-related infrastructure and services.
Disagreement
  • Councillor Thompson, seconded by Councillor King, sought to have the reserve-bylaw and growth-revenue recommendations brought back for the incoming Council. The motion was defeated; Councillors Graham, Riddell and Paltiel and Mayor Windsor opposed it.
  • Councillors Thompson and King opposed approving the two recommendations immediately. The remaining members supported proceeding, and the recommendations carried.
Carried, unanimousItem 4.134:30 Watch · Read

Prepare the preliminary 2027 municipal budgets using the same service levels as in 2026, while accounting for unavoidable cost increases. Continue the planned tax and utility-rate increases to fund asset replacement, new and active transportation infrastructure, and water and sewer needs.

Official wording: That the following 2027 Budget Guidelines be approved: 1. Preliminary 2027 municipal departmental budgets be prepared using 2026 service levels and non-discretionary increases. 2. Asset Management Plan financial strategies continue, including a 1.25% property tax increase for existing asset replacement, a 0.50% increase for new and active transportation infrastructure, and continued Water and Sewer rate trajectories toward the 2032 AMP targets. 3. Water and Sewer utility budgets be prepared consistent with prior years, including wage and benefit costs, CRD bulk water costs, asset management rate increases, non-discretionary increases, and regional servicing or contract impacts.
Not voting: Gordon Newton (absent)
Defeated 0 to 6Item 4.135:20 Watch · Read

Ask staff to bring the incoming Council a proposal to make the annual 1.75% asset-management contribution a permanent transfer into reserves, and options for how to use revenue from new construction while balancing taxes, services, infrastructure work, and reserve needs.

Official wording: And that the following 2027 Budget Guidelines be brought back to the incoming Council for approval: 4. Staff bring back an amended Reserve Fund Bylaw to make the annual 1.75% asset management contribution a permanent, dedicated transfer to reserves. 5. Staff return with a policy framework and options for future use of new construction assessment growth revenue, including hybrid models that balance tax affordability, status quo service levels, AMP funding, infrastructure renewal, reserve sustainability, and growth-related capital needs.
Not voting: Gordon Newton (absent)
Carried 4 to 2Item 4.136:12 Watch · Read

Direct staff to bring back a proposal to make the annual 1.75% asset-management contribution a permanent transfer into reserves, along with options for using revenue from new construction that weigh tax affordability, services, infrastructure, and reserve needs.

Official wording: That the following 2027 Budget Guidelines be approved: 4. Staff bring back an amended Reserve Fund Bylaw to make the annual 1.75% asset management contribution a permanent, dedicated transfer to reserves. 5. Staff return with a policy framework and options for future use of new construction assessment growth revenue, including hybrid models that balance tax affordability, status quo service levels, AMP funding, infrastructure renewal, reserve sustainability, and growth-related capital needs.
Voted for: Christopher Graham, Niall Paltiel, Ryan Windsor, Sarah Riddell inferred from attendance
Voted against: Bob Thompson, Zeb King
Not voting: Gordon Newton (absent)

4.2 2027 Budget Early Approvals, Capital and Strategic Implementation Plan

budget finance13:53 Watch · Read

Staff said early approval would let them scope and procure 2027 work sooner, rather than start after the budget is adopted. The proposed $1.059 million covered routine transportation, drainage, parks, water and sewer programs, vehicle and facility replacements, pickleball-court work and climate-lens tools. Staff said the projects were largely already in the capital plan and funded from reserves, so early approval would not affect the 2027 tax rate. Councillors questioned the cost and fire-risk implications of the cedar-shingle roof at Butterfield and asked what the $54,000 pickleball item covered; staff explained that it was a full court resurface, not just line painting. Council asked staff to return with a detailed cost explanation for item J, covering the Butterfield roof and Fire Hall 1 mechanical replacement, and approved the other listed work.

Agreement
  • Getting routine capital work ready early can help staff plan procurement and spread the workload through the year.
  • The pickleball item covered resurfacing as well as court lines, and no further report was needed on that cost.
  • Council wanted more detail on the costs for Butterfield’s roof and Fire Hall 1 mechanical work before proceeding with item J.
Disagreement
  • Councillor Thompson questioned whether the current Council should approve projects before the incoming Council could review them; staff said most were routine replacements already in the capital plan, and the outgoing Mayor said the current Council should consider the decisions while they were before it.
  • Councillor Graham preferred directing staff to find a cost-effective, durable roof treatment suited to the heritage building, rather than bringing the roof item back for more information. Council proceeded with the request for a cost explanation.
Carried, unanimousItem 4.243:43 Watch · Read

Approve $1,059,000 in early funding for the listed 2027 capital projects, including contingency funds for transportation, drainage, parks, water and sewer repairs; sidewalk, traffic-signal and pickleball-court work; a vehicle replacement; facility upgrades; and climate tools for Council reports and budget decisions.

Official wording: That the following 2027 projects be approved and authorized to proceed as incorporated in the 2027 Financial Plan, Capital Program: A. General Transportation Upgrades Contingency Program, for unplanned transportation infrastructure failures, $150,000 B. Urban Arterial Sidewalk & Bus Shelter Improvements, annual program, $40,000 C. Traffic Signal & Controller Replacement Program, $40,000 D. General Drainage Upgrades Contingency Program, for unplanned drainage infrastructure failures, $150,000 E. Parks Infrastructure Contingency Program, for unplanned park asset repairs and replacements, $30,000 F. Pickleball Court Line Painting, $54,000 G. General Water System Upgrades Contingency Program, for unplanned water infrastructure failures, $150,000 H. Sewer Infrastructure Contingency Program, for unplanned sewer main repairs and replacements, $150,000 I. Unit #518 Replacement - 2008 Ford Ranger XLT SuperCab 4WD, $85,000 J. Facilities Asset Management – Butterfield Roof Replacement, FH1 Mechanical Replacements, $160,000 K. Climate Lens Tools for Council Reports and Annual Budget Decision-Making, $50,000 Total Early Approval Request: $1,059,000
Not voting: Gordon Newton (absent)
Carried 5 to 1Item 4.242:47 Watch · Read

Ask staff to return with a detailed explanation of the cost of the Butterfield roof and FH1 mechanical replacement project.

Official wording: That staff report back on item J with a detailed explanation of the cost.
Voted for: Bob Thompson, Niall Paltiel, Ryan Windsor, Sarah Riddell, Zeb King inferred from attendance
Voted against: Christopher Graham
Not voting: Gordon Newton (absent)

4.3 Budget Direction for the Central Saanich Police Board

budget finance1 public speaker24:04 Watch · Read

Council considered financial expectations for the Police Board’s 2027 budget, not a police budget approval. Staff recommended asking the Board to keep its provisional increase below 5% unless unavoidable cost pressures justify more, and to provide quarterly updates on budgets, forecasts, variances and steps to manage them. The Police Board’s chair said a rise above 5% was likely, citing pressures such as E-Comm, integrated policing units and collective bargaining. The Police Chief also described overtime pressures, including staff absences and retirements, and said the service was taking steps to limit overtime.

Agreement
  • Council and the Police Board should share financial information earlier and communicate about significant pressures during the year.
  • Council’s direction concerned affordability and financial reporting, not policing operations or law-enforcement priorities.
  • Any increase above 5% should be explained with its cost drivers and possible mitigation.
Disagreement
  • Council asked the Board to aim for a budget increase below 5%, while the Board’s chair said an increase above 5% was likely because of structural pressures. No opposition to the motion was recorded.
Carried, unanimousItem 4.343:43 Watch · Read

Ask the Police Board for a current financial update and quarterly reporting that tracks its budget, actual and forecast spending, major variances, and responses to them. Also ask it to keep its proposed 2027 Police Service budget increase below 5%, unless unavoidable structural costs justify more and the Board provides supporting information. The direction is about affordability and financial transparency, while leaving policing operations and law-enforcement priorities to the Board.

Official wording: 1. Request the Police Board to:  Provide a current financial status update and ongoing quarterly reporting showing budget, actuals, forecast year-end position, material variances, mitigation actions, and key drivers, with reference to 2024 and 2025 trends; and  maintain the 2027 provisional Police Service budget submission below 5%, unless a higher increase is justified by unavoidable structural cost pressures and supported by mitigation, revenue, and variance-management information. 2. Confirm this direction is focused on affordability, transparency, and variance management within Council’s statutory budget role, while respecting the Police Board’s responsibility for policing operations and law enforcement priorities.
Not voting: Gordon Newton (absent)

9 ADJOURNMENT

governance44:40 Watch · Read

The meeting adjourned. The official minutes record the adjournment at 6:43 p.m.

UnclearItem 944:40 Watch · Read

Routine: adjourn the meeting.

Official wording: On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
Not voting: Gordon Newton (absent)

Decisions

Official · from the minutes

All 8 decisions from the minutes appear under the agenda items above.