CRD and CRHD Boards Approve 2016 Budgets

Press Release

Mar 30, 2016

The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board today approved its 2016 – 2020 Financial Plan and corresponding Bylaw. The 2016 budget year focuses on enhancing infrastructure and maintaining core service delivery for the region, while responding to specific service requirements for those municipalities, electoral areas and First Nations participating in sub-regional and local services. The 2016 consolidated operating expenditure portion of the budget $263.1M pays for a range of more than 200 CRD services and sub-services to over 378,000 people in the region. In addition, the 2016 consolidated capital budget targets $126.5M in capital projects. The CRD budget is unique for each municipality, electoral area and First Nation as each participates in a different set of services. An overview is available in the attached 2016 Budget Overview.

Today the Capital Regional Hospital District (CRHD) Board also approved the 2016 budget which represents $30 million of the total consolidated budget. The total 2016 CRHD requisition has increased by 1.05%. The CRHD contributes the local share of capital funding and develops healthcare infrastructure in the Capital Region.

Highlights of the 2016 budget include:

Over $35 million in planned expenditures for Drinking Water Services under Regional Water Supply, Saanich Peninsula Water Supply and Juan de Fuca Water Distribution.
Over $21 million for the CRD solid waste service. The planned expenditure for the service has been decreased by approximately $2 million to reflect the change in the service levels.
Ongoing resources to support the Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program is held at the 2015 level of $15 million. The total budget to fund trunk sewers and liquid waste services is over $28 million.
Approximately $16 million in provision of Environmental Services across the region including Climate Action initiatives.
Over $8 million in planned expenditures in Regional Parks to support ongoing initiatives, new park openings and expanded operations which include:
- Resources to coordinate natural asset management for Elk and Beaver Lakes.
- Transfer of funds to develop regional trails on Southern Gulf Island and Salt Spring Island
- Purchase of a new online registration system
The CRD continues to collect an average of $20 per residential household and holds over $3.5 million in the CRD Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund: Since the establishment of the Fund, Regional Parks, with its partners, have purchased 4,487 hectares of land totaling approximately $48 million.
Approximately $4 million in development of arts and theatre related services
Approximately $3.3 million on Land Banking and Housing along with the Regional Housing Trust Fund.
$12.7 million in planned expenditure for community parks and recreation services.
Other significant areas for expenditure include:
- Community Health Facilities, Regional Planning Services, Emergency Services and Legislative and Government Services.
$20 million in planned spending on electoral areas to provide for
- Increase in the Salt Spring Island (SSI) administration budget to provide increased on-island support for SSI services and additional resources for new SSI office.
- Increase in the SSI ArtSpring society requisition
- Reduction in Juan de Fuca (JDF) planning budget due to reflect reallocation of resources
- Increase in Southern Gulf Islands administration budget to provide for increased economic development activities.

Overall the CRD’s budget has two components: the operating portion, and the capital portion. Operating costs pay for the daily business of the CRD. This portion of the budget pays for labour costs, supplies, programs, services and repayment of debt for major projects. Operating budget is funded through a variety of funding sources including requisition, user fees, and grants.

The capital investment is included in an annual plan to sustain and enhance infrastructure in the region. This includes acquisition of buildings, facilities, construction of trails, and upgrades to capital assets, such as water treatment plants and sewers. Capital projects are typically funded by annual contributions from operating or from grants, reserves or by debt servicing. A list of significant capital projects is available in the attached Capital Projects List.

The 2016 Financial Plan received preliminary approval by the Board in November 2015. The plan was prepared based on the development of service plan summaries, which review the work plan and resource requirements for the upcoming year. The service plan summaries are recommended for approval by various CRD Board standing committees and commissions. For local services, the respective commissions review and recommend their budgets through the Electoral Area Directors to the Board. In the three electoral areas this process includes a significant amount of work undertaken by many appointed commissioners who volunteer their services in the Southern Gulf Islands, Salt Spring Island, and Juan de Fuca.

Additional information about the 2016 budget is available here.

Celebrating 50 years! The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24 member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, enhance community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager,
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492

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