The Village of Pemberton (VOP) is considering a draft budget in advance of a public information session next week, with a range of tax-increase options on the table.
During a Jan. 21 meeting, Pemberton finance manager, Thomas Sikora, highlighted some of the challenges associated with this year’s budget.
“There is really a pressure to maintain the existing service levels, meet the strategic priorities, all while, historically, seeing low tax rates. So we’re starting to see additional pressure," Sikora told council.
“That’s compounded with aging infrastructure which requires more service over time or replacement and the ability to fund that with ongoing maintenance plans and reserves and ensure reliable and smooth collection over years.”
In addition to addressing infrastructure, other pressures the village is facing include mitigating development volatility, reducing reliance on one-time grant funding, new labour positions including a public works labourer and fire inspection officer, a transition to managing and funding the RCMP and recreation services, and expanding transit options.
Council is eyeing a $270,000 tax increase for the village to make up for a projected deficit.
Officials were presented with the annual cost of a village-wide increase of that amount based on average illustrative examples of property types. The burden on the average single-family home would increase by $160.37 per year, and increase by $110.39 for the average residential house.
For businesses in Venture Place, the burden would amount to $400.20. For businesses in the Village’s downtown core, taxes would increase by $264.84. And for those operating out of the Industrial Park, it would amount to a $223.80 increase.
Final tax figures will be prepared for a March 4 public information session, based on feedback from council at the Feb. 25 committee of the whole meeting.
Individual tax increases will differ based on each property’s assessed value. The 2025 tax increases will be confirmed at a future meeting. Pemberton’s council approved an eight-per-cent increase in 2023 and 9.8 per cent in 2024.
The budget aims to address multifaceted challenges facing the Village.
In addition to inflation and the increasing cost of living, the village is also looking to ensure recently completed, grant-funding infrastructure is able to secure funds for long-term maintenance once those grants have been fulfilled. Similarly, the VOP is also eyeing tax increases to account for the end of COVID-19 subsidies.
While the year-end audit of 2024 is still in progress, a $176,164 shortfall is anticipated for the year past due to volatile development revenue. That market uncertainty is projected to continue in 2025, according to a report from staff.
Council is also considering the next steps in a transition to municipal policing once the town’s population hits 5,000, and assuming full responsibility for recreation services in 2026. The report notes that, starting Jan. 1, 2026, “Village taxpayers will see an increase on their property tax notices; however, they will also see a decrease in the amount collected by the Village on behalf of the SLRD.”
The VOP is also considering an additional 1,500 BC Transit service hours along with a new operating contract in 2025, partly offset by grant funding and a $50,000 contribution from the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
The village is also looking to increase the airport maintenance budget to reflect an updated assessment following a grant-funded crack-sealing project in 2024.
A public information session will be held on Tuesday, March 4, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Pemberton & District Community Centre. It will allow locals to learn more about the proposed budget and ask questions of officials.
