Thank you to everyone who provided their input on the draft 2025-2029 Five-Year Financial Plan.
Your comments, emails, questions, and conversations at various in-person events were presented to Council at the Special Business Meeting on November 26.
To see a summary of feedback received, check out the What We Heard Report.
Mayor's invitation for community input - online and in person while Council discussed the draft budget:
Background
There are few communities that have experienced the growth pressures we have in Squamish. Between 2016 and 2023, our population has jumped 46.8% and Squamish has become one of the fastest growing communities in Canada. It is a highly desirable place to live and work, and we are balancing the challenges that come along with that. What we are working to solve:
How can we continue to manage future growth, upgrade our infrastructure, and create complete neighbourhoods that meet our community needs, all while ensuring that tax increases to residents and businesses are manageable?
Each year, we develop a Five-Year Financial Plan that speaks to the needs of the District’s current Strategic Plan (aligned with each Council’s term), as well as more than 15 Master Plans. The District’s Master Plans guide our decisions to ensure we are making sound infrastructure investments into the future of our town. All of this is guided by the Squamish 2040 Official Community Plan that reflects community values and vision. The Five-Year Financial Plan considers external economic opportunities and pressures and the long-term vision for the District, balanced with the need to provide the essential services that residents rely on every day.
The draft Financial Plan results in a total revenue requirement for existing taxpayers that is projected to increase 9.6% or $250 for the average residential property in 2025. Read our news release for more details on the pressures on this plan.
Your Involvement
We are all impacted by the Financial Plan, every day. When you walk down a street, turn on your tap, or visit a District park – you are seeing the results of our budget process. This is why it’s important that you are involved and provide feedback along the way. We invite you to take some time to learn how tax dollars are spent, and how we are working to create a healthy, vibrant, livable and accessible community for all.
Does our Draft Financial Plan align with your community priorities? If not, what have we missed?
Explore our online Budget Tool to view proposed projects and initiatives.
(And follow along with Council below!)
Curious to dive deeper into the budget?
View this 13-minute presentation adapted from the October 29th meeting where the District’s Finance Team presented the draft budget to Council. We sought the technical help of ‘Penny’, an AI-generated narrator, in the production of the video given that the Finance team have been busy preparing for the upcoming Budget Open House.
Connect In-Person or Online (past events)
Coffee with Council (past events):
- Monday, October 28: 5 - 7 pm at Locavore (1861 Mamquam Road)
- Wednesday, October 30: 10 am - noon at Caffe Garibaldi (Squamish Adventure Centre, 38551 Loggers Lane)
- Thursday, October 31: 8 - 10 am at Brackendale Bean (41340 Government Road)
Seniors Wellness & Information Fair (past event): Saturday, November 2 from 10 am - 1 pm at The 55 Activity Centre (1201 Village Green Way)
NEW DATE Budget Open House (past event): Wednesday, November 13 from 6 - 8 pm at Brennan Park Recreation Centre (1009 Centennial Way)
Ask a question or post a comment via this page! Or email us your comment to budgetfeedback@squamish.ca.
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Ask a question and a staff member will provide an answer to your question on this page. Questions may also be answered by Council during a live meeting.
