Saanich unanimously voted to adopt an alternative approval process (AAP) to borrow $9.6 million for five infrastructure projects.

At the Jan. 20 meeting, council argued that this approach B次元官网网址� that grants approval unless 10 per cent of the district's electors register opposition B次元官网网址� was the best way to save the district and its constituents money without significantly raising property taxes.

A staff report identifies that the $9.615 million will be allocated to five capital projects including sewer ($400,000), parks ($1.2 million), storm drainage ($1.7 million), transportation ($3.1 million) and community facilities ($3.215 million). 

The decision now rests with Saanich residents to approve or reject the municipalityB次元官网网址檚 request.

District staff described the AAP as a method of seeking electoral approval for a local government initiative. The process includes public notification followed by an opportunity for qualified electors to register written opposition. If more than 10 per cent of electors submit a valid response before the deadline on March 19, the initiative will not proceed. Alternatively, if fewer than 10 per cent of electors are opposed, the initiative will receive elector approval and proceed.

This threshold is set at 8,735 electors for storm drainage, transportation, parks, and community facilities projects, while the sewer capital program requires 8,288 electors. Staff explained the lower threshold for the sewer project is due to its impact being limited to fewer residents.

Saanich CAO Brent Reems mentioned that municipalities cannot borrow more than five per cent of their budget revenue without obtaining voter approval.

B次元官网网址淪aanich is up against that limitB次元官网网址� given the cost of infrastructure projects,B次元官网网址� he said.

Used on B次元官网网址渁 strategic basis,B次元官网网址� Reems explained that APPs ultimately help the municipality to save money and alleviate the financial impact of these projects on constituents.

B次元官网网址淭he intention of that strategy is to lower the cost and to spread the cost of the projects over time and to avoid year-over-year spikes to take care of standard operational needed work as part of our capital plan. That would be the cost of these projects on a stand-alone basis without the use of borrowing.B次元官网网址�

Coun. Colin Plant highlighted that if the AAP is unsuccessful, funding the proposed projects would require a referendum which could result in a 5.25 per cent property tax increase in 2025, which is not currently included in the budget.

While the APP would cost the municipality a total of $30,000, a referendum would balloon this amount to $400,000.

B次元官网网址淚f we don't borrow, and I have been a proponent of doing more borrowing in the past, then in fact we just have to do a lift to taxes if they are essential services, and I would argue that the sewer capital program is definitely an essential service,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Karen Harper. 

Mayor Dean Murdock supported the APP stating that this option B次元官网网址渕akes a lot of sense.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚f you want local government to be in the business of providing sewer, sidewalks and bike lanes, park space and infrastructureB次元官网网址� this is all part of that,B次元官网网址� said Murdock. B次元官网网址淭he reason we would borrow instead of pay as you go is that these are our assets that we're gonna have in the long term.B次元官网网址�

Residents can submit their vote to the District of Saanich in person at the municipal hall (770 Vernon Ave.), from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Forms can also be submitted by using the secure drop box after hours, by mail, or by sending a scanned copy via email at aap@saanich.ca.