Budget 2026 Update: Special Council Meeting Scheduled April 1 as Deliberations Continue

At the March 23, 2026 Regular Council Meeting, Council directed staff to schedule a Special Council Meeting to continue discussions on the 2026 Budget. The focus of this meeting will be to explore opportunities to reduce the proposed tax increase from 12% to 10% or 8%, while maintaining core municipal services, including 24/7 police and fire protection. 

The Special Council Meeting has been scheduled for April 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at Sooke Municipal Hall in the Council Chamber. 

At the current proposed increase of 12%, or approximately $20 per month for the average household, the draft budget includes the addition of three RCMP officers and one firefighter. These public safety investments represent the majority of the proposed increase and reflect the District’s ongoing commitment to community safety in a growing community. 

The draft budget also allocates approximately 2% of the increase toward asset management. Asset management is the practice of planning, maintaining, and replacing infrastructure, such as roads, pipes, and facilities, over time to ensure they remain safe, reliable, and cost-effective. Investing in asset management today helps reduce the risk of costly emergency repairs in the future and supports long-term financial sustainability. 

In addition, the current budget includes community service supports, including:

• Support for sport field and community hall maintenance
• Youth wayfinding and counselling services
• Pre- and post-natal community programming
• After-school arts programming for children and youth
• Wildlife education services

A tentative Community Budget Open House is planned for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Municipal Hall. The open house will proceed following three readings of the Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw and will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the proposed budget, including tax impacts and planned projects for the year ahead. 

The District’s budget process is a year-round, cyclical process that begins with community engagement. More than 1,700 participants contributed feedback to help shape the 2026 budget, with strong support expressed for maintaining core services and increasing investment in parks and trails. As the community continues to grow, public safety services now represent more than half of the District’s overall budget. 

Council and staff continue to carefully evaluate budget scenarios to balance service levels with affordability, recognizing the financial pressures facing residents. 

The Tax Rate Bylaw must be adopted by May 15, 2026. 

To follow the budget process, visit letstalk.sooke.ca/budget, or subscribe to the newsfeed or monthly newsletter at sooke.ca/subscribe.

To learn more about public meeting procedures, or to receive Council meeting agendas directly to your inbox, visit sooke.ca/meetings.