The District of Squamish has released its first-ever 10-year Financial Plan, outlining projected operating costs, capital projects, and tax and utility rate impacts through 2035. The plan is now available online for Council and public review, the District said in a press release.
Proposed service level changes were introduced at the Special Meeting of Council on October 7, with proposed capital plan and special operating projects being introduced online on October 10.
The District says the plan takes into account rising costs, facility upgrades, and long-term infrastructure needs.
Council budget deliberations have been paused due to ongoing CUPE 2269 job action, which has limited staff capacity to support the process. The Budget Information Night originally scheduled for November 12 will be rescheduled.
“This is an important budget year for the District of Squamish with the introduction of a 10-year plan,” said Mayor Armand Hurford. “Long-term planning will help this Council, and future Councils, balance the challenges and financial pressures that come with a growing community and aging assets.”
The District is among a small number of B.C. municipalities to adopt a decade-long financial planning model. The plan projects revenues, expenses, reserves, and debt levels to ensure both short-term stability and long-term sustainability.
Key areas addressed in the plan include tax revenue needs, service level adjustments, special operating projects, infrastructure investments, borrowing costs, and asset management commitments. It also factors in inflation, RCMP contract increases, and climate adaptation and mitigation costs.
According to Heather Boxrud, the District’s General Manager of Financial, Information Technology and Procurement Services, the plan “prioritizes fiscal responsibility, stability and long-term sustainability, while meeting the immediate needs of today’s taxpayers.”
The District outlined that the plan is based on four guiding principles: stable and sufficient funding, sustainable and equitable practices, prudent and flexible management, and efficient and measurable operations.
Residents are invited to review the plan and share feedback through the District’s online platforms. Community engagement events include Budget Bingo on October 20, Fiscal Civic Showdown Trivia Night on October 23, and the Mayor’s Drop-In on November 17.
Council will resume budget workshops once job action has ended. There is currently no timeline for when this will occur.
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