The bill for the former homeless camp in Regina Park is starting to come in, but it is not clear whether it will impact next yearB次元官网网址檚 tax rate.

A draft report from the District of Saanich says the municipality could pay anywhere between $746,000 and $923,500 for all the costs associated with the homeless camp that had set up in Regina Park from early May to Sept. 13. Specific items include policing, the remediation of the park, storage for campersB次元官网网址� gear and a hygiene station with showers and toilets near Municipal Hall.

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Policing costs alone could add up to more than $500,000. The total cost of policing will have reached $315,000 by the end of September, and authorities may spend anywhere between $55,000 and $232,000 for additional costs.

Saanich police closed the homeless camp on Sept. 13 following a court ruling. Some of the campB次元官网网址檚 residents have since set up an encampment in Goldstream Provincial Park and are threatening to visit 100 locations in 100 days.

Mayor Richard Atwell said the estimates in the report appear in line with earlier estimates, but issues remain.

B次元官网网址淪hort term, it has drained our contingency fund,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淟ong-term, I think itB次元官网网址檚 under control. However, the next budget cycle will have to consider from where the contingency fund will be topped up.B次元官网网址�

One question looming in the background is whether Regina Park would lead to higher taxes. Saanich residents heard in July their taxes will not go up in 2018 as council earmarked its entire 2018 contingency fund B次元官网网址� $700,000 B次元官网网址� towards extra costs associated with the tent city in Regina Park near Uptown.

RELATED: West Shore residents hold forum regarding homeless camping at Goldstream

Valla Tinney, director of finance, said in the summer costs associated with the camp will not lead to a tax increase in 2018, because tax rates are already set. Depending on circumstances though, it could lead to a tax lift in 2019, she said.

Atwell said that question will be part of the budget process. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 know what the tax level will be until the new council deliberates on the budget process,B次元官网网址� he said.

Stan Bartlett, chair of the Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria, said this B次元官网网址渉uge tent city billB次元官网网址� is one of many Saanich taxpayers will face this year.

B次元官网网址淲ith a major shift in councillors B次元官网网址� there will be at least four B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 the perfect time to start to do council business differently,B次元官网网址� he said.

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wolfgang.depner@saanichnews.com