Capital Regional District directors gave preliminary approval last week to a 2017 provisional budget of $221 million, an increase of $16.3 million over 2016.
Major capital projects, including regional sewage treatment, could drive up CRD costs by eight per cent next year.
“The 2017 preliminary financial plan holds the line on operational costs while investing in important capital projects,” said CRD board chair Barb Desjardins. “The wastewater treatment requisition increase for core municipalities is being done in a measured and thoughtful way.”
The preliminary budget forecasts Sooke taxpayers will see CRD taxes increase of 2.65 per cent, or $11.72 on a house assessed at $350,264, while residents in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area will see a drop in taxes by $2.15 based on a house assessed at $393,589.
The CRD services 377,000 people in the Greater Victoria region.
