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Following an extensive period of public engagement, the Town of Qualicum Beach is moving closer to adopting its 2025-2029 budget. This forward-looking Financial Plan includes a robust capital strategy aimed at maintaining and enhancing the community’s infrastructure while supporting its high quality of life.
Like many municipalities, Qualicum Beach faces the challenge of balancing high service levels with sustainable tax rates. To navigate this, the Town’s financial planning has been guided by four core priorities: resilience, risk mitigation, maintaining service levels, and complying with emerging legislative changes.
“When one considers that monthly costs for municipal services are comparable to a phone, cable, and internet bundle, it becomes clear that the value of these services is significant,” said Mayor Teunis Westbroek.
Key Highlights of the 2025-2029 Budget
The proposed budget reflects Council’s commitment to advancing strategic initiatives, aligning resources with service delivery needs, and prioritizing capital investments that address risk, asset renewal, and quality-of-life improvements.
Strategic Initiatives
Examples of key initiatives outlined in the budget include:
- Compliance with new provincial housing legislation (Bill 44).
- A Building Facilities Greenhouse Gas Study.
- The “Pathways to Sustainable Economic Development” program.
- A visual identity refresh and website redesign to optimize communications.
Capital Projects
Significant capital investments include:
- Seacrest Road Replacement and Slope Stabilization: A critical infrastructure project.
- Skate Park Construction: Supporting recreational opportunities for residents.
- Airport Projects: Grant-dependent initiatives for runway, taxiway, and apron asphalt replacement, along with the procurement of a loader and snow blower.
2025 Combined Property Taxes and Utilities
A typical household in Qualicum Beach will experience a 5.7% overall increase in combined property taxes and utility bills in 2025 compared to 2024. This is based on a modest increase in utility fees and a property tax increase of 6.6%. For an average home valued at $981,000, the annual cost per household will rise to approximately $3,559, an increase of $182.
Property Tax Breakdown
The proposed 2025 property tax increase of 6.6% is distributed as follows:
- 3.8% for operational costs.
- 1.5% for police services.
- 1.3% for asset management.
Tax Allocation
It’s important to note that approximately 51% of property taxes collected by the Town are remitted to other taxing authorities. These include the Province of BC (School Tax), Regional District of Nanaimo, Nanaimo Regional Hospital District, Vancouver Island Regional Library, BC Assessment Authority, and Municipal Finance Authority. Each of these entities sets its own tax rates annually.
Next Steps
The Financial Bylaw will be presented for third reading at a Special Council meeting on March 5, 2025. Final adoption is scheduled for the Regular Council meeting on March 12, 2025.
More information
For more information about the 2025-2029 Financial Plan or to review budget documents, please see the links below:
Background Information
Public consultation is an integral part of the Town of Qualicum Beach’s financial planning process, and the following meetings were open to the public to provide input and ask questions:
Media Contact
Raj Hayre
Director of Finance
media@qualicumbeach.com
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