The Town’s Five-Year 2026-2030 Financial Plan was adopted by Council, after an extensive public engagement period over the past three months.  

The plan sees a 6.5% municipal property tax increase with a focus on essential services including maintaining municipal services, investing in essential infrastructure, and supporting long-term financial sustainability and affordability: 

• 1.3% dedicated to the Asset Replacement Reserve as part of the Town’s long-term strategy to close the infrastructure funding gap 
• 0.7% allocated for RCMP Operations 
• 4.1% for municipal operations, including a contribution to the Strategic Initiatives Reserve 
• 0.4% increase in contribution to the Reserve for investment in new assets 

Council considered several budget scenarios, including an 8.1% and 7% increase, before selecting the 6.5% increase. This approach maintains core service levels while mitigating the impact on residents. Public input received during the budget process helped inform Council’s decision and remains an important part of the Town’s financial planning process. 

For a typical home assessed at the Town of Qualicum Beach average property price, the increase equals approximately $13 per month in municipal property taxes. Individual impacts may vary depending on property assessment changes. 

The 2026-2030 Financial Plan covers municipal property taxes only. The collection of these taxes is used for local services, infrastructure, and asset replacement.  Approximately 51% of taxes collected by the Town are levied on behalf of other agencies, including the Province (school taxes), Regional District of Nanaimo, Vancouver Island Regional Library, and Nanaimo Regional Hospital District. These agencies independently set their rates and are not included in the Town’s municipal tax increase. 

The Financial Plan can be viewed at qualicumbeach.com/financial-planning-2026 

Contact

media@qualicumbeach.com

250-619-2332