May 22, 2026

Parksville Council Adopts 2026-2030 Financial Plan

The financial plan, tax rates and utility rates bylaws were given final adoption by Council earlier this month. The bylaws reflect a 5.8% 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 2026 property tax rate will increase the municipal portion of property taxes by about $166 from 2025 for the average assessed single family dwelling and $49 for the average assessed residential strata property.

Property tax notices will be mailed next week with a due date for property taxes of Thursday, July 2. Refer to Let’s Talk Parksville for the full news release, financial plan details, and staff presentations and reports.

City Offers Payment Option for Utility Bills and Property Tax Payments

We are pleased to offer payment by VISA or MasterCard credit or debit cards for property taxes and utility bill payments. The City has partnered with OptionPay, a third-party payment processor to provide residents with a convenient method for payment of property taxes and utility bills. 

Utilizing OptionPay enables the City to keep overall payment acceptance processing costs down yet provide individual residents with the ability to use their credit card for payment. OptionPay is a financial service used by many municipalities for credit card payments. As a municipality, it is a challenge to navigate how to process credit card fees.

For a nominal processing fee through OptionPay, property owners can make credit card payments through the City’s website using the OptionPay link or in person at Parksville City Hall. The City does not receive the processing fees charged by OptionPay; these are paid directly to OptionPay which uses a tiered fee schedule with a minimum fee of $2. Only VISA or MasterCard credit and debit cards are accepted as payment options using OptionPay. Although payments are received by the City within 48 business hours; it is important to allow for this processing time when making payments. Also be aware of your daily and/or transaction processing limit when making credit card payments. For optimal performance, use Google Chrome or Firefox web browser when accessing OptionPay for the City of Parksville.

The City accepts online VISA and MasterCard payments for business licences, parking tickets, bylaw office tickets, and comfort letters available at this link. You can access all the information to make a credit card payment through the City’s website

As well as this new OptionPay system, the City offers alternate payment options such as online and telephone banking, in-person at City Hall, mail, drop box. The City also offers Pre-authorized Withdrawal Service (PAWS) which allows taxpayers to contribute a fixed monthly payment towards their taxes and/or utilities.

Should residents have questions about payment options, contact the City’s finance department at 250 248-6144 or cashier@parksville.ca

Parksville Local Government Election 2026

The City of Parksville municipal Council is made up of a Mayor and six Councillors, each to be elected for a four-year term. Local government elections in British Columbia are held every four years. The election for the City of Parksville is set for Saturday, October 17, from 8 am to 8 pm at the Jensen Centre and Parksville Fellowship Baptist Church. Advance voting will be held on Wednesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 14, from 8 am to 8 pm at the Jensen Centre, 132 Jensen Avenue East.

Detailed information including key dates and information for voters and for candidates running for Council is available on Let’s Talk Parksville, through a direct link and also accessible from the City’s website. We hope you will spend some time reviewing our election site on Let’s Talk Parksville to familiarize yourself with the City of Parksville’s local government election. Please refer questions about the election to the Chief Election Officer at election-official@parksville.ca

IN OTHER NEWS!

For a third year, we will host Canada Day celebrations in Parksville; a great family-friendly event for the community. Our theme for this year is “Proudly Canadian, Proudly Parksville.” The day’s fantastic activities are outlined on Let’s Talk Parksville. Starting with the Shriners’ pancake breakfast on Craig Street and then the best parade on Vancouver Island along Island Highway East. It’s a full day in Parksville Community Park with music, entertainment and activities including Quirk the Magician back for a second year, sandcastle building, face painters, food trucks, displays, demos, Canada Day cupcakes, and more! More info to come.

Our appreciation to the Department of Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada for funding assistance and sponsors Neway Traffic Management, Isle Golf Cars, Thrifty Foods, Black & White Event Rentals, Telus, Absolute Septic Service, PQB News, and 88.5 The Beach and 99.9 The Lounge.

Canada Day parade applications are on Let’s Talk Parksville. Let us know if you have questions to canadaday@parksville.ca.

THINGS TO KNOW...

Water Conservation Level 2 is in effect unless otherwise notified. Odd numbered civic addresses may water on odd numbered days and even numbered civic addresses may water on even numbered days. Watering times are 7 am to 10 am OR 7 pm to 10 pm for a maximum of two hours of total allocated watering per day. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from restrictions. For details about the City’s water conservation program, refer to Letstalkparksville.ca/water-conservation.

Food Trucks in Parksville Community Park - We’re excited to manage the food trucks again this year from May 1 to September 30 from 11 am to 7 pm daily. About one week ahead, the schedule for the coming month is posted to the website and social media. Check out the great selection of trucks this year. 

CITY DATES

For more information:

Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications

communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073

parksville.ca | letstalkparksville.ca