The 2025-2029 financial plan, tax rates and utility rates bylaws were given final adoption by Parksville council at a special meeting on May 8.
The bylaws reflect a 5.5 per cent increase in general municipal property taxes, a 6 per cent increase in metered water and water parcel tax rates, and a 6 per cent increase in sanitary sewer usage and parcel tax rates, according to a news release by the City of Parksville.
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 for Drinking Water Master Plan; $1.9 million for Parksville Pathway project (Parksville Community Park to Englishman River Estuary); $300,000 for PDBA/City lighting project; $200,000 for Beach Fest sandcastle area relocation; $100,000 for Shelly Road Centre playground; $100,000 for sports fields and facilities needs assessment; $700,000 for Community Park lacrosse box/tennis court upgrades; $402,000 for utilities instrumentation and controls renewal; $3.7 million per year, indexed to inflation, for roads and drainage infrastructure renewal; $825,000 per year, indexed to inflation, for water and sanitary sewer infrastructure renewal; and $5.1 million for Englishman River Water Service 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, with penalties as follows:
• Regardless of payment method, payment must be received at the City of Parksville by the due date of July 2, or be subject to an immediate 5 per cent penalty.
• An additional 5 per cent penalty will be applied to current year property taxes outstanding at the end of business on Sept. 15.
• Penalties are also applied to any unclaimed homeowner grants.
Note: In the event of a postal strike, property owners remain responsible for ensuring payment is received by the city by the due date to avoid penalty.
