September 5

Nine joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Local Community Commissioners (LCC) Brian Webster and Gary Holman (also our Electoral Director). Aptly facilitated by Grant Fredrickson, comprehensive notes were taken by Julie Thomson – thanks, team! 

While they were open to any LCC questions, the main topic for discussion was to solicit feedback about the proposal to increase the taxation ceiling for our bus system. While this will not necessarily result in higher taxes for our transit system this year, this increase will give the LCC the ability to raise taxes for this service over the years as needed. 

While this decision rests with Gary as our Electoral Director , it has a major impact on the future of our bus system. Losses during COVID and increasing costs, plus a diminishing operating reserve, have combined to make it imperative that the taxation limit for our bus system be increased to continue current levels of service as well as expand as needed.  

As Electoral Director, Gary has the legal right to raise the taxation limit for our bus service. But, he is concerned about entirely avoiding explicit taxpayer approval. At the very least, before making any decision, he needs feedback about this increase. 

Brian began by offering our Acknowledgement, noting the increasing frequency with which First Nations are being consulted. Brian is “excited and delighted” that his apple harvest has begun. He is also delighted that it has not been raining on him and his team. 

Gary is delighted by Salt Spring’s unprecedented number of infrastructure projects including: 

• Near completion of the Drake Road supportive housing; 
• Expected fall occupancy of Lady Minto Hospital Foundation’s conversion of the former Seabreeze Inne for healthcare worker housing; 
• The $23 million Ganges Hill project, now expected to be complete in October; 
• Major improvements to Centennial Park; 
• Anticipated 2026 completion of the new firehall and subsequent community ownership of the Ganges Firehall;
• Our recently completed $12.5 million Lady Minto emergency facility; and 
• Multiple successful projects by local nonprofit organizations.

Gary agrees that Salt Spring still has many issues to address, but he is confident that we will continue to make good progress. 

Introducing the topic at hand, Gary offered some background about our bus system which he initiated. It was established in 2007 by an alternate approval process (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/local-governments/governance-powers/alternative_approval_process_guide.pdf), with a local requisition of approximately $100,000. 

The agreement with BC Transit that set the foundation for our bus system split costs for this service between Salt Spring and BC Transit at approximately 50/50 with Salt Spring keeping all fares collected to further reduce their 50% share. 

Our system quickly became one of BC’s most successful rural bus systems, collecting a far higher percentage of its total costs through fares than other similar communities. As a result of this success, in 2014, voters approved nearly doubling transit’s taxation limit.  

Now 18 years after the establishment of this bus system, both the LCC and BC Transit would like to enhance it. While it is considered to be one of the best rural transit systems in BC, most recognize that buses have to run more frequently and routes have to be expanded if we are to expect a significant percentage of Salt Springers to use our buses. (Current local usage estimates indicate that only about 3% are regular bus riders.) 

Despite this success compared to other communities, one must remember that bus systems, like swimming pools, simply do not break even, always requiring significant tax support to continue operation. As Brian noted, it is up to the LCC to determine taxation levels for its services, recognizing that it is appropriate for taxpayers to heavily support some of services that offer a significant community good,

The taxation limit approved by voters in 2014 is not enough to even maintain current service in the future let alone fund future expansion. While Gary, as our Electoral Director, has the right to raise service taxation limits 25% every five years, at a recent meeting, CRD staff suggested – and Local Commissioners agreed – to support Gary to raise this limit 78%. Gary has to decide whether a decision of this magnitude should, instead, be taken to voters for their approval.

Brian has concerns about the inconsistency with which tax limits are determined for all of our services. He believes that the five locally elected Commissioners have a solid comprehension of the financial needs of all of our services and should make these decisions. While he is comfortable leaving the financial decisions about our services in the hands of our Local Commissioners, he believes that we must always be gathering community feedback about these services. Concerning our bus system, he would like to hear from the community about its success meeting needs as well as how it could be improved. For example, does our $2.25 fare, unchanged since 2007, need to be reevaluated?

A regular bus rider added that she gave up her car and continues to be impressed with the level of service offered by our bus system. A less known benefit she mentioned is the sense of community among bus riders, finding each ride another opportunity to share companionship with other riders. She asked why more do not ride, wondering how we could make riding the bus more glamorous. 

Brian spoke of the Catch 22 of a system that is not regularly used by most Salt Spring residents, and, because it is not more heavily used, does not provide the frequency of service needed to attract more riders. He also noted that transit service can support a more environmentally sustainable and responsible community by providing a transportation option for people living in the densified village communities we need in the future, especially Ganges, but also Fulford and Vesuvius. He believes that, as our population increases and more and more cannot – or choose not – to own a car, we as a community need to spend the money needed to make our transit system a real option for more Salt Spring residents. While Brian recognizes that there are limits to the ability and willingness of Salt Springers to pay more taxes, he cautioned us against being shortsighted, so afraid of tax increases that we neglect to serve our community as needed.

Gary made it clear that he supports expansion of our transit service, questioning only whether it is appropriate to impose a significantly increased requisition limit without the voter approval that has always been sought before. 

On the mind of both Gary and Brian, CRD staff has just presented the LCC with a 2026 budget requesting a 10% increase. This conversation is expected to take a full day at the LCC’s Special Budget meeting this Thursday, September 11, beginning at 9:00 am. 

Our time together over for this week, participants thanked Gary and Brian for an enlightening conversation. They noted their hard work and willingness to listen and answer questions. They also appreciated their openness to exploring difficult conversations, like tax increases, and their good humour when faced with daunting challenges. (Thanks, Gary and Brian!) 

Just in case you are interested. . . .This report has been written by Gayle Baker, founder of ASK Salt Spring, currently also a Salt Spring Local Community Commissioner. While she was not at this ASK Salt Spring gathering due to quorum considerations, she wrote the report from Julie Thomson’s excellent notes. (Thanks, Julie!) It has been reviewed and edited by Gary and Brian.