North Cowichan council has adopted the 2024-2028 Financial Plan Bylaw, including a tax increase of 5.18 per cent for this year.
The bylaw was adopted after a review of departmental business plans, operating and capital expenditure planning, grant-in-aid requests and utility rate budgets that began last November.
“North Cowichan’s property taxes support the services and programs residents, businesses and visitors rely on,” said Mayor Rob Douglas. “The 2024 Financial Plan sets us on a positive path, with significant investments in infrastructure and budgetary support for responding to the issues related to homelessness and street disorder while maintaining our high service levels. Balancing these needs with higher costs for services outside our council’s control such as RCMP and Vancouver Island Regional Library has been a challenging task.”
The plan includes a capital expenditure program focused on core municipal responsibilities, with major investments in sewer and water projects, parks and playgrounds, upgrades to the Cowichan Aquatic Centre and Fuller Lake Arena, roads and bridges rehabilitation, new automated garbage trucks, replacement of the Crofton Fire Hall and completion of the new RCMP building.
The budget cycle is a year-round activity for a local government and public input is encouraged. Links to the 2024 budget reports, documents, council meeting videos and background materials can be found at connectnorthcowichan.ca/budget-2024.
Property tax notices will be mailed in late May and taxes are due by July 2, 2024. Bills include taxes collected on behalf of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Hospital District, Cowichan Valley School District and other taxing authorities.
