Appendix B: Public Engagement survey and comments

Contribution Summary

1. Do you live in View Royal?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 2 | Answered: 35 (94.6%)

2. How satisfied are you with the level of service for Policing you receive?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 1 | Answered: 36 (97.3%)

3. How satisfied are you with the level of service for Fire and Emergency Services you receive?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 0 | Answered: 37 (100%)

4. How satisfied are you with the level of service for Transportation Services you receive?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 0 | Answered: 37 (100%)

5. How satisfied are you with the level of service you receive from View Royal for garbage and household food waste collection?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 0 | Answered: 37 (100%)

6. How satisfied are you with the level of service for Parks and amenities in the Town?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 0 | Answered: 37 (100%)

7. How satisfied are you with the level of Recreation services?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 1 | Answered: 36 (97.3%)

8. How satisfied are you with the level of Public Library services?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 0 | Answered: 37 (100%)

9. How satisfied are you with the level of Development services in the Town?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 1 | Answered: 36 (97.3%)

10. How satisfied are you with the level of General Government services in the Town?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 0 | Answered: 37 (100%)

11. Do you support increasing taxes to put money away and save for future infrastructure replacement?

Multi Choice | Skipped: 0 | Answered: 37 (100%)

Question 12: Do you have any comments or suggestions regarding the proposed 2025 budget?

27 comments were left in response to this question. Key themes included:

The following is a breakdown of the verbatim comments for each theme.

1. Opposition to Tax Increases: (12 responses)

Many residents expressed concern about the proposed tax increase, particularly in comparison to inflation and economic pressures.

Verbatim Responses:

• Municipalities need to be economically responsible to its citizens. It should be a requirement to have a referendum if taxes exceed the rate of inflation. We are looking at a 10% increase when the rate of inflation was a mere 2.7%. This is absurd.
• Why did council approve of such a drastic increase in taxes? Nobody can afford a 10% increase in taxes, especially at this very volatile time. I do not support this at all and I strongly suggest that council review the 10% increase to property tax.
• 9-11% tax increase is despicable. At a time where everyone is struggling financially, you expect us to pay 10% more? That is absurd. I do not support this budget whatsoever.
• How can property tax rates keep increasing way above inflation rate. So much for housing affordability!
• The amount of tax increases is unaffordable!
• The continuous huge tax increases need to stop.
• This is not a good time to be raising taxes or increasing the budget. Instead, you should be looking to lowering taxes and decreasing spending.
• Find ways to reduce spending. View Royal taxes have risen year after year. Not getting value for money and priorities are all wrong given the economic climate - time to be frugal.
• With the constant tax increases it’s making it harder for retirees to live in there houses. Why is it you remove three homes put up a condo which has 50 units collecting 47 more taxes than the 3 homes. Also stop adding more council members.
• How can property tax rates keep increasing way above inflation rate. So much for housing affordability!
• My taxes have doubled since the casino opened which was meant to keep taxes reasonable, they are now not reasonable for our small town, please keep raises minimal as possible.
• Not enough demonstration by the Town to incur such a huge tax increase. The evidence does not show program cuts, hiring freezes, and cut-backs necessary on the Town's part before suggesting such a high increase on so few constituents.

2. Other: (5 responses)

These were a handful of final comments that did not fit into an identified theme. They have been grouped together below.

Verbatim Responses:

• I think you do awesome work for citizens.
• I have several comments and will include them in a separate email to mayor & Council.
• This was short and sweet. How much do we pay for Victoria Contracting? I would like to see more info and options regarding this.
• Would like it if the ByLaw person would actually answer their phone or attend the property that was complained about.
• Where are the locations and necessary budget to add more dog off-leash areas in View Royal?

3. Spending Priorities / Value for Money: (4 responses)

These comments focus on how funds are being allocated and call for more prudent or strategic budgeting.

Verbatim Responses:

• While the medians, roundabouts, and boulevards look fantastic, we are spending too much money on these extras. Vic contracting seems to be working on the 4 mile hill median every week. Take that money and put it into protective services.
• Please do not wait to start paying for the West Shore Parks and Recreation from taxation. It should have transitioned years ago but I see Council continually decided to foist this cost off. COVID-19 should have been wake-up call that $ not in casino 4ever.
• Do not spend town money on Thetis Vale sound barrier.
• Snow removal is great but it would be good to have a local library.

4. Protective Services: (2 responses)

These focus specifically on policing, enforcement, and related concerns.

Verbatim Responses:

• With most government jobs not receiving raises this year, I don’t think it is the right time increase spending for protective services.
• Police budget should increase, increase patrolling and especially traffic, six mile Rd at Chilco is scary, people always drive right thru stop sign, either they don't see it or don't care, speeding on trans Canada right after Mill Bay heading south.

5. Climate Action / Fleet Electrification: (2 responses)

These advocate for investment in sustainability, electrification, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Verbatim Responses:

• Would like to see more on electrification of our fleet including firetrucks, more on active transportation initiatives.
• I would like to see into the foreseeable future a whole category of budget items for the Town to deal with climate change, including acquiring only electric vehicles for replacements, only electric equipment for parks and soon retiring of all gas furnaces.

6. Transportation & Traffic Safety: (2 responses)

Focused on traffic control, enforcement, and safety concerns.

Verbatim Responses:

• Stop putting more stop lights on the Old Island Highway and start cracking down on speeding.
• Don’t add active transportation for the sake of adding it, do it where it makes sense we do have a Goose trail. People are going to stop using their cars for everyday activities such as groceries, taking kids to music or hockey or soccer, getting to work.