The Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) held a special budget meeting on Thursday, May 14, at 9:00 am at the SIMS Board Room (streaming online with TEAMS). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and vote on proposed budget changes for 2027 to guide staff in preparation of the 2027 provisional budget, due in August. The full 97 page agenda package, including presentations, staff reports, and supporting documentation, is available online.
Presentations and Delegations
- The LCC received a presentation from Karen Hudson and Richard Swann of the Salt Spring Island Public Library on proposed changes to its 2027 CRD budget contribution (included in the agenda package).
- The LCC received a presentation from Bronwen Duncan of the Salt Spring Arts Council and Howard Jang of ArtSpring on proposed changes to the 2027 CRD budget contribution to the Arts Service (included in the agenda package).
- The LCC received a presentation from Peter Meyer of Island Pathways on a proposed street sweeping option for roadway shoulders (included in the agenda package). The LCC passed a motion “That Island Pathways work with staff to review and adjust the proposal for the road shoulder sweeping program with additional information”.
- The LCC received a delegation from Myna Lee Johnstone on providing support for a local ride share program.
- The LCC received a delegation from Jenny McClean on management of local housing facilities.
- The LCC received a delegation from Susan Palmer of the Salt Spring Arts Council on proposed revitalization of Mahon Hall (included in the agenda package).
LCC Business
1. The LCC received a staff presentation on Operating and Capital Budget Planning 2026 - 2030 (included in agenda package).
2. The LCC received a staff report on revitalization of Mahon Hall (included in the agenda package). The LCC passed a motion “That the Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission request that the Salt Spring Island Electoral Area Director direct staff to develop the 2027 1.111 Salt Spring Island Administration Provisional budget with an additional day per week of auxiliary Engineering Technician time to support the Mahon Hall revitalization and other Salt Spring Island initiatives.”
3. The LCC received a staff report on Parks and Recreation Fees and Charges for 2026 – 2027 (included in the agenda package). The LCC passed a motion “That the Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission recommends to the Capital Regional District Board: That the Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation 2026/2027 Fees and Charges be approved as presented in Appendix A”.
4. The LCC received a staff report on relocation of the Rainbow Recreation Centre Off-Leash Dog Park (included in the agenda package).
5. The LCC received a staff report on the Rainbow Recreation Centre Building Envelope Renewal Project (included in the agenda package).
6. The LCC received a staff report on Ongoing Operating and Management Costs for the new SSI Hydro Playing Fields (included in the agenda package).
7. The LCC received a staff report on obtaining a MOTT permit for painting bicycle icons on the new bicycle/pedestrian lane on Ganges Hill (included in the agenda package).
8. The LCC received a staff report on Supplementary Items and Capital Projects for Consideration in the 2027 budget (included in the agenda package). The LCC passed the following motions related to the 2027 Operating Budget:
a. “That Appendix A be amended to reduce the percentage from 10% to 5% for item A-1” the requested ArtSpring/Arts Council increase for 2027.
b. “That Appendix A be amended to remove the amount of $7,000 “ii. Construction Phasing Plans” and the amount of $50,000 “iii. Feasibility Study Consultant for item A-2”, the SSI Arts Council request for Mahon Hall revitalization for 2027.
c. “That Appendix A be amended to remove the amount of $40,000 “Business License Feasibility Study” for item A-4”, in the Economic Development service.
9. The LCC passed the following motions related to the 2027 Capital Budget:
a. “That Appendix B be amended to defer the amount of $15,000 “Portlock Accessibility upgrades” for item B-6 to 2028 instead of 2027”.
b. “That Appendix B be amended to defer the amount of $10,000 “Accessible Beach Access Funding” for item B-3 to 2028 instead of 2027 and leaving an amount of $10,000 in 2027”.
c. That Appendix B be amended to remove the amount of $35,000 “Equipment to support adult fitness classes” for item B-8”.
d. That Appendix B be amended to reduce the amount of $20,000 to $10,000 “Home economics room upgrades” for item B-7”.
e. That Appendix B be amended to defer the amount of $25,000 “Entry Desk reconfiguration planning and design” for item B-12 to 2028 instead of 2027”.
10. The LCC passed a summary motion “That the Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission requests that staff include additional budget items identified in Appendix A and B as amended with specific direction on amendments, in the 2026-2030 Provisional Five Year Financial Plan for further consideration”.
Motions and Notices of Motion
- The LCC passed a motion by Commissioner Webster “That the Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission (LCC) request staff to: 1. Report back to the LCC on CRD reserve guidelines. 2. Prepare provisional LCC budgets for all services with a goal of meeting the reserve guidelines in the future and ensure there will be sufficient funding to support projects in the Five-Year Financial Plan.”
- The LCC passed a motion by Commissioner Webster “That the Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission directs staff to prepare the 1.116 Salt Spring Island Grants in Aid Preliminary Five-Year Financial Plan by increasing Grants in Aid from $70,090 to $80,000 in 2027 as an ongoing supplementary item funded by requisition.”
- Eight additional Notices of Motion, read into the record for consideration at this meeting, were postponed due to time constraints.
The next meeting of the Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission was the regular daytime business meeting held at 9:00 am on Thursday, May 21, in the Board Room at SIMS. That agenda package is available online. A report on that meeting is forthcoming
This LCC meeting report was prepared by Earl Rook, Chair, Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission.
