The 2024-2028 budget was officially adopted by Town Council on March 13, 2024. This future-focused budget encompasses a comprehensive capital plan designed to enhance our community's infrastructure and maintain its high quality of life.
Key initiatives in the budget include the Bay Street Slope Stabilization; Phase 2 of Waterfront Expansion project to add parking and bike lanes at the waterfront; the critical replacement of the Beach Creek Culvert on East Crescent Road; revitalization of the ‘Bus Garage’ site; and the completion of the Beach Creek Viewing Platform and Walkway. For details on all planned projects in the next four years, please see the Financial Plan 2024-2028, and view our Town Projects webpage.
“The 2024 operational budget is meticulously crafted to navigate financial challenges such as inflationary pressures on materials, supplies, and software licenses; the rising costs of contracted services; and adjustments in wages and benefits in line with existing agreements. It also prioritizes sustainable asset management and responds to demand for new infrastructure.” – Mayor Teunis Westbroek
2024 Property Tax & Utilities
A typical household in Qualicum Beach will experience a 6.1% increase in their combined 2024 property tax and utility bills compared to last year, a measure taken to secure a sustainable and thriving future for our community.
To maintain and enhance the quality of municipal services, Council approved a property tax increase of 7.7%, equating to $164 for a typical home valued at $956,000. This adjustment ensures the Town can continue to provide reliable services, manage risks effectively, support our contractual commitments, expand capacity in key areas like Operations, Fire Emergency Services, and the Qualicum Beach Airport, as well as slightly increase our Asset Replacement funding.
Adjustments in the Water and Sewer Utilities, along with Solid Waste services, will see a modest rate increase of $30 per average household, or 2.9% from 2023.
Taxes also support a wide range of essential services and infrastructure beyond our local community. The Town collects and redistributes 51% of taxes to other governing bodies, including the Province of BC (School Tax), the Regional District of Nanaimo, the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District, the Vancouver Island Regional Library, the BC Assessment Authority, and the Municipal Finance Authority. Other taxing authorities set their own increases based on the taxes they require for the year.
More information:
Background Information
Public consultation is an integral part of the Town of Qualicum Beach’s financial planning process, and the following meetings were open to the public to provide input and ask questions:
- Wednesday, March 15, COW meeting (budget presentations)
- Thursday, March 16, COW meeting (budget presentations)
- Thursday, March 23, COW meeting (budget presentations)
- Wednesday, March 29, COW & Special Council meeting (2023-2027 Financial Plan)
Following public input, the Financial Bylaw was given readings by Council to meet the relevant adoption deadline for submission to the Ministry.
Media Contact
Raj Hayre
Director of Finance
250-752-6921
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