June 11, 2025
NEWS RELEASE
We wish to remind residents 2025 property taxes are due by Wednesday, July 2, 2025. To avoid possible service disruptions at Canada Post, the City mailed tax notices earlier in May and should now be received by property owners. Contact 250 248-6144 or cashier@parksville.ca if you have not received your property tax notice.
In the event of a postal disruption, property owners are responsible to ensure payment is received by the City of Parksville by the due date to avoid penalty. Regardless of your payment method, payment must be received at the City of Parksville by the due date of Tuesday, July 2 or be subjected to an immediate 5% penalty. An additional 5% penalty will be applied to current year property taxes outstanding at the end of business on September 15. Penalties are also applied to any unclaimed homeowner grants.
Homeowner grants are submitted directly to the Province of BC. To avoid penalty and interest, residents must claim their homeowner grant before the tax due date. Apply to the Province of BC at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or by phone at 1 888 355-2700.
Ways to pay - alternative payment methods to ensure timely receipt of payment are listed here:
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BANKING - property taxes may be paid directly at most financial institutions. For online banking, add the City of Parksville as a payee by searching Parksville. When making a payment at a bank or through online banking, allow a minimum of two business days for bank processing time.
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MAIL - mail cheque to P O Box 1390, Parksville, BC V9P 2H3
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IN PERSON - at City Hall, 100 Jensen Avenue East. Open 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday (closed statutory holidays)
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ONLINE SERVICES - use the Online Services tab at www.parksville.ca to create a MyCity account to access information about your accounts. This convenient online service allows residents to view and manage their City tax and utility bills from anywhere. You can obtain an electronic copy of your tax notice from MyCity and view your assessment and previous information for your property.
Information on the City’s 2025-2029 financial plan may be viewed at Let’s Talk Parksville.
For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073
May 22, 2025
NEWS RELEASE
2025 tax notices were mailed to property owners last week, two weeks early in anticipation of the Canada Post service disruption scheduled to begin on May 23. In the event of a postal strike, property owners are responsible to ensure payment is received by the City of Parksville by the due date to avoid penalty. The best way to ensure your payment is received on time is to make your payment online through your financial institution. Please refer to the back of your tax notice for instructions or for other payment options, also available at this link.
If you do not receive your property tax notice by June 2, please phone the City at 250 248-6144.Payments must be received, and homeowner grants must be claimed by the July 2 due date to avoid a penalty. All eligible homeowners are required to apply for their homeowner grant with the Province of BC at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or by phone at 1 888 355-2700.
When making a payment at a bank or through online banking, allow a minimum of two business days for bank processing time. Regardless of your payment method, payment must be received at the City of Parksville by the due date of Wednesday, July 2 or be subjected to an immediate 5% penalty. An additional 5% penalty will be applied to current year property taxes outstanding at the end of business on September 15. Penalties are also applied to any unclaimed homeowner grants.
The 2025-2029 financial plan, tax rates and utility rates bylaws were given final adoption by Council on May 7. The bylaws reflect a 5.5% increase in general municipal property taxes, a 6% increase in metered water and water parcel tax rates, and a 6% increase in sanitary sewer usage and parcel tax rates. Information on the City’s 2025-2029 financial plan may be viewed at Let’s Talk Parksville.
For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073
May 8, 2025
NEWS RELEASE
The 2025-2029 financial plan, tax rates and utility rates bylaws were given final adoption by Council at a special meeting on May 8. The bylaws reflect a 5.5% increase in general municipal property taxes, a 6% increase in metered water and water parcel tax rates, and a 6% increase in sanitary sewer usage and parcel tax rates. The estimated increase for an average priced home is $141.
Highlights from the 2025-2029 financial plan include investments in capital assets and infrastructure renewal:
- $677,000 Drinking Water Master Plan
- $1.9 million Parksville Pathway project (Parksville Community Park to Englishman River Estuary)
- $300,000 PDBA/City lighting project
- $200,000 Beach Fest sandcastle area relocation
- $100,000 Shelly Road Centre playground
- $100,000 Sports fields and facilities needs assessment
- $700,000 Community Park lacrosse box/tennis court upgrades
- $402,000 Utilities instrumentation and controls renewal
- $3.7 million per year, indexed to inflation, roads and drainage infrastructure renewal
- $825,000 per year, indexed to inflation, water and sanitary sewer infrastructure renewal
- $5.1 million ERWS water treatment plant upgrades
Reserve funds established by Council contain funds which have been set aside for specific purposes as directed by a requirement of provincial or federal legislation, the Reserves and Surplus Policy, or by a decision of Council. Maintaining adequate reserves and surplus play a significant role in achieving a level of financial stability for Parksville taxpayers. Such reserves include long-term capital infrastructure renewal and replacement, current capital funding (roads/asphalt overlay, storm drainage, water, and sewer) and protective services operating and capital (fire and police).
Property tax notices will be mailed by the end of May and the due date for property taxes is Wednesday, July 2, 2025, with penalties as follows:
- Regardless of payment method, payment must be received at the City of Parksville by the due date of Wednesday, July 2, 2025, or be subject to an immediate 5% penalty.
- An additional 5% penalty will be applied to current year property taxes outstanding at the end of business on September 15.
- Penalties are also applied to any unclaimed homeowner grants.
Please note: In the event of a postal strike, you remain responsible for ensuring payment is received by the City of Parksville by the due date to avoid penalty.
Meetings to consider the 2025-2029 financial plan began in October 2024 with Committee of the Whole and Council meetings held into April. The City’s financial plan and staff presentations and reports from the meetings may be viewed on Let’s Talk Parksville. As well, the meetings are archived and may be viewed through webstreaming on our website.
For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communcations
communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073
March 5, 2025
NEWS RELEASE
In January, Council approved the 2025-2029 financial plan. Guided by Council priorities, the City’s financial plan sets the priority services, programs and initiatives for the next five years and how the City will pay for them. The next step in the financial plan process is Council’s consideration of amendments to the 2025-2029 financial plan resulting from new information, updated BC Assessment data and completion of the 2024 fiscal year.
The upcoming meeting schedule for the 2025-2029 amended financial plan is outlined below. We encourage residents to attend the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 9 to provide input and feedback on the amended plan.
April 7 - Introduction of recommended amendments to the financial plan and analysis of the
BC Assessment Revised Roll
April 9 - Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss amendments and direction from Council on property, water and sewer rates
April 23 - Regular meeting - motions forwarded from April 9 Committee of the Whole meeting
April 28 - Tentative meeting date should it be required for further deliberation of the amended financial
plan and rates bylaws
May 5 - Regular meeting - three readings of 2025-2029 amended financial plan bylaw and 2025 water, sewer and property tax rates bylaws
May 7 or 12 - Final adoption of 2025 amended financial plan and 2025 tax rates bylaws from May 5 meeting
Final 2025 property tax rates and utility rates for the City of Parksville will be set during this schedule of meetings. The forecasted rate increases for 2025 were 7% for property taxes, 6% for water fees and 6% for sewer fees, which will result in an increase of about $175 for an average residential property. Property tax notices will be mailed by the end of May, following adoption of the financial plan and property tax rate bylaws.
Meetings to consider the 2025-2029 financial plan were held in October and November and public input was received through an online survey and in-person. Financial plan documents and staff presentations from the Committee of the Whole and Council meetings may be viewed on Let’s Talk Parksville. As well, the meetings are archived and may be viewed on our website through webstreaming.
For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073
January 6, 2025
NEWS RELEASE
Parksville property owners will soon receive their 2025 assessment notices from the BC Assessment Authority. 2025 property assessments reflect market value as of July 1, 2024. The average increase in property values for your class of property is shown on your assessment notice.
We encourage property owners to visit BC Assessment Authority to search your property, compare assessments and review recent sales of nearby properties to see if your assessment is reasonable. The deadline to appeal your 2025 assessment through BC Assessment is January 31, 2025. Should you have questions about your assessment, contact BC Assessment at 1 866 825-8322 (Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 5 pm.)
It is important to understand changes in property assessments do not automatically translate into a similar change in property taxes. If your assessment percentage increase is the same as the average residential increase for the City of Parksville, then the City’s portion of your property taxes will likely rise by only the amount of the tax increase approved by Council. For the City of Parksville, the 2024 typical assessed value (on July 1, 2023), of a single-family residential property was $743,000. The 2025 typical assessed value (on July 1, 2024) increased by 1% to $750,000. Information about Vancouver Island property assessments is provided here.
The Province of BC homeowner grant for 2025 for eligible properties in northern or rural areas (outside Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley and Capital Regional districts) is as follows:
- Up to $770 for the basic homeowner grant.
- Up to $1,045 where the homeowner is 65 years or older or the homeowner is a person with a disability.
In May, after receiving the municipal property tax notice, eligible residents should apply for the homeowner grant on the BC Government website. Homeowners with more complex situations can get help by phone at 1 800 663-7867 or from a ServiceBC Centre. Assessment roll and jurisdiction numbers are needed to apply. Homeowners may also be eligible for property tax deferment if 55 or older or financially supporting a dependent child.
TO LEARN MORE:
Vancouver Island Region property assessment
BC Government Municipal Taxes
Property Tax Deferment
For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073
November 27, 2024
NEWS RELEASE
The City’s 2025-2029 financial plan will be considered at the December 16 Council meeting with three readings of the financial plan bylaw. It is expected final approval will be considered at the first Council meeting in 2025, on January 20.
Guided by Council priorities, the City’s five-year financial planning process includes input from City departments, Council briefings and public consultation. The five-year financial plan sets the priority services, programs and initiatives for the next five years and how the City will pay for them.
Property tax rates and utility rates for the City of Parksville will be set in spring 2025. The forecasted rate increases for 2025 are 7% for property taxes, 6% for water fees and 6% for sewer fees, which will result in an increase of about $175 over 2024 for an average residential property.
The increases to property taxes and utility fees include increased investments in current and long-term critical infrastructure renewal to support a sustainable long-term financial plan for the City. Funding to support the activities of Parksville community groups (Parksville Beach Festival Society, Oceanside Community Arts Council and Parksville Curling Club) was added to the financial plan. Additional investments are included to enhance accessibility to City facilities. The drinking water master plan, Parksville Pathway, completion of the transportation master plan, upgrades to utilities instrumentation and controls, and works at the water treatment plant are significant projects in 2025.
Public participation helps to ensure the plan reflects the community’s priorities and assists Council to balance individual needs and the needs of a growing community. Meetings to consider the 2025-2029 financial plan were held in October and November and we received public input through an online survey open from September 18 through October 17.
Financial plan and staff presentations from the Committee of the Whole and Council meetings may be viewed on Let’s Talk Parksville. As well, the meetings are archived and may be viewed on our website through webstreaming.
For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073
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
