Help Shape Parksville’s 2026-2030 Financial Plan
September 16, 2025
NEWS RELEASE
Each year, the City prepares a five-year financial plan to meet the short- and long-term needs of our community, while trying to balance future financial sustainability with the current economic reality. Development of the financial plan is a complex process which includes input from City departments, Committee of the Whole meetings which provide background briefings for Council, community group presentations, and an opportunity for public input and comment.
Guided by Council priorities as outlined in its Strategic Plan, the City’s five-year financial plan sets the priority services, programs and initiatives for the next five years and, most importantly, how these will be funded. Five years of expected revenues and expenditures are presented for all services provided by the City, including general government, protective services (fire and police), engineering and public works, community planning, parks, solid waste collection, drinking water, sanitary sewer, and capital and long-term financial planning. The City endeavours to maintain quality programs and services for our residents and businesses while keeping property taxes and utility fees affordable.
KEY STEPS IN THE FINANCIAL PLAN PROCESS
- During September and October, senior staff review department business cases and budgets in the context of Council’s strategic plan, economic changes, operating workplans, funding opportunities, and feedback from the community received throughout the year.
- Committee of the Whole meetings to be held in November and open to the public, will review operating revenues and expenditures in the general, water and sewer funds, capital and special project expenditures, as well as community group funding requests.
- At a regular Council meeting in December, a draft 2030-2026 financial plan will be presented which will incorporate Council and public feedback. The plan is expected to receive three readings with approval of the provisional 2026-2030 financial plan in January 2026. Property tax and utility rates will be set in April 2026 after the property assessment roll is received.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Community participation is an important part of developing budget priorities. Public input into the process ensures the City’s financial plan reflects the community’s current wants and needs and assists Council with balancing the ongoing service needs of a growing community while delivering on strategic priorities and projects. Here are some of the ways residents can be involved in the City’s financial plan process:
- Attend or ask questions at financial plan meetings open to the public on November 5, November 6, November 12, and November 24. Refer to the City website calendar for times and Let’s Talk Parksville for more information.
- 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 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.
If you wish to become familiar with the City’s financial plan process, Let’s Talk Parksville provides previous financial plans and presentations as well as many other details.
For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073
