Let's Talk Financial Plan 2025-2029

September 18, 2024

NEWS RELEASE

Each year, the City prepares a five-year financial plan to meet the needs of our community. Development of the financial plan is a complex process which includes input from City departments, background briefings for Council and public consultation. Guided by Council priorities, the City’s annual budget is part of the five-year financial plan which sets the priority services, programs and initiatives for the next five years and how the City will pay for them. The City strives to maintain quality programs and services for our residents and keep taxes affordable for businesses and homeowners.

Participation in the process by the public ensure the City’s financial plan reflects the community’s current wants and needs. Public feedback assists Council with balancing individual needs, combined with the needs of a growing community while delivering on key priorities and projects. It also helps inform the community on how City budgets are created, as well as how property tax dollars are spent.

COMMUNITY PRIORITIES SURVEY
City of Parksville Council wants members of the public to be involved in the budget process. The City is committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility while responding to the needs of our community and believes public engagement is important to the City’s financial planning process. Input will directly influence how the City’s budget is shaped and will assist Council to make financial choices.

As we begin building the 2025-2029 financial plan and work to ensure your tax dollars are spent wisely, we need your ideas and input and hope you will share your thoughts on the City services which matter most to you. This is your chance to tell us what you value and where we should prioritize spending for the coming year. Online until October 27, the survey may be accessed from the City’s website and from this link. Paper copies may be obtained from City Hall.

Although you don’t need to be familiar with the City’s financial planning process to take part in this survey, Let’s Talk Parksville provides previous financial plans and presentations as well as many other details.

FINANCIAL PLAN MEETINGS OPEN TO PUBLIC
Council meetings to discuss the new financial plan will be held on October 28, October 30, November 4, November 6 and November 18. Refer to the City website calendar for times and Let’s Talk Parksville for more information.

In addition to the survey and attending Council meetings, residents may participate through these means:

• Comments and questions may be emailed to council@parksville.ca and will form part of the public record.
• Learn about our financial planning process and ask questions. Let’s Talk Parksville offers information to help our residents and businesses understand the City’s financial planning process and how tax dollars are spent. Consider being involved by asking questions or sharing comments. Input will form part of the public record.
• Council public financial plan meetings will be webstreamed live and archived from our website.

For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073