Jan 23, 2019 - Islands Trust Invites Comments on its Draft 2019/20 Budget

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Bowen, Denman, Hornby,  Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Lasqueti, Mayne, N. Pender, Salt Spring, Saturna, S. Pender, Thetis 
 
 
News Release 
200- 1627 Fort Street Victoria, BC  V8R 1H8 
Telephone  (250) 405-5151 FAX:  (250) 405-5155 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 660-2421.  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
information@islandstrust.bc.ca     www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
 
January 23, 2019            2019-01-IT 
Islands Trust Invites Comments on its Draft 2019/20 Budget 
 
VICTORIA - The Islands Trust Council welcomes public comments on its draft 2019/20 budget.  
 
Highlights of the 2019/20 budget as compared to the previous year include: 
 
 a total budget of $7.89 million;  
 3% decrease in total expenditures from the 2018/19 budget; 
 59% decrease in the amount of funds being spent from the surplus fund;  
 2% projected tax increase overall for the Islands Trust Area (other than Bowen Island Municipality); 
 13% projected increase in Bowen Island Municipal tax levy;  
 2% wage increase for all union staff per the BCGEU Collective Agreement; 
 1.95% increase in expenses to pay for the newly legislated provincial health tax;  
 2% increase to trustee remuneration (per Policy 7.2.1 on Trustee Remuneration and the anticipated rate of 
inflation for 2018; to be verified when updated information is made available by Stats Canada).    
 
“Trustees look forward to receiving the public’s input on the priorities the Islands Trust should set for the financial year 
ahead,” said Peter Luckham, Chair of the Islands Trust Council. “In developing the draft budget, the Islands Trust 
Council has sought to balance, in an accountable and fiscally responsible manner, the needs of island communities and 
our mandate to preserve and protect.”  
 
The draft budget is based on the assumption that existing service levels will be maintained and that Islands Trust will 
proceed with the following initiatives: strategic plan project work; community and First Nation engagement for the 
Policy Statement amendment project and potential Islands Trust Act amendments; digital and online communications/ 
engagement improvements; electronic document management and photo management projects; and continuation of 
the Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Authority funded by a special property tax requisition levied in the Salt 
Spring Island Local Trust Area. The draft budget will also support the following staffing changes: a new temporary 
Covenant Monitoring and Outreach Specialist; and a one-year extension of the Freshwater Specialist staff position.  
 
In terms of how Bowen Island’s taxes are calculated, the Province of British Columbia included a formula in the Islands 
Trust Act to calculate the amount to be requisitioned from an island municipality in the Islands Trust Area for the cost 
of operations of both the Trust Council and the Islands Trust Conservancy. The draft 2019/20 budget would result in a 
Bowen Island Municipality tax contribution of $332,658, 

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