Jan 22, 2018 - Islands Trust Invites Comments on its 2018-2019 Budget Proposal

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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 604.660.2421.  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
information@islandstrust.bc.ca     www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
January 22, 2018           2018-01-IT 
 
ISLANDS TRUST INVITES COMMENTS ON ITS 2018-2019 BUDGET PROPOSAL 
 
VICTORIA - The Islands Trust Council welcomes public comments on its $7.86 million proposed budget for 2018-
2019.  
 
Highlights from the proposed budget for 2018-2019 include: 
 
 A 2% increase in revenue from property taxes. 
 An operating budget of $7.86 million. 
 A proposed 1.3% increase in expenses ($100,000) over the 2017-2018 budget. 
 Continued funding for projects identified in the 2014-2018 Strategic Plan. 
 One-time funding for several key administrative projects. 
 
“In developing this budget, we carefully assessed how the Islands Trust should respond to the interests and 
needs of our island communities in an accountable and fiscally responsible manner,” said Peter Luckham, Chair 
of the Islands Trust Council. “The next step is to ask the public to have a say about how we use funds in support 
of our mandate to preserve and protect the Trust Area.” 
 
The proposed increase in expenses will enable the Islands Trust to maintain core functions, as well as fund 
short-term projects identified in the Trust Council’s 2014-2018 Strategic Plan. Among other items, Trust Council 
is budgeting $130,000 for administration of local government elections in 2018 and is proposing a new project 
coordinator position that will support significant advocacy, intergovernmental and communication initiatives.  
 
As members of the Islands Trust, Bowen Island Municipality contributes a proportional share of the cost of 
operations of the Trust Council and the Trust Fund Board as defined by the Islands Trust Act. If the proposed 
budget is approved, Bowen Island Municipality would contribute $293,463, an increase of 17.3% ($50,783). 
 
Public comments received by February 12, 2018 will go to the Financial Planning Committee (FPC), which is 
responsible for developing the annual budget. The FPC will consider all feedback received by the deadline and 
make its budget recommendations to Trust Council. Trust Council will also review the public’s feedback before 
approving the final budget at its quarterly meeting March 13-15, 2017 on Salt Spring Island.  
 
The details on the budget proposal, link to the survey and options for feedback are available at 
www.islandstrust.bc.ca/budget. 
 
The Islands Trust is a federation of special-purpose local government bodies representing 26,000 people living 
within the Islands Trust Area and another 10,000 non-resident property-owners. The Islands Trust is responsible 
for preserving and protecting the unique environment and amenities of the 

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