Campbell River Residents To See Property Tax Increase

Campbell River residents are looking at a 9.97% property tax increase as council adopted the budget and  2023-2032 Financial Plan.

“Budget deliberations are always tough and as a fellow Campbell River business and property owner I fully appreciate the impacts of a 9.97% tax increase. I want residents to know that Council did not make any budgetary decisions lightly and that throughout these discussions residents’ and community wellbeing were top of mind,” says Mayor, Kermit Dahl.

“High inflation, supply chain issues, labour market shortages and fixed increases to City contracts meant a tax increase was inevitable for 2023, however, I am proud of the work that staff and Council completed to minimize the increase while also investing in major needs for the community.”

The tax hike works out to about a $189 rise in annual property taxes for the average homeowner.

It’s slightly lower than the 11.27% tax increase proposed at Committee of the Whole meetings in February.

Although the increase is higher than the City’s established tax parameter increase, due to today’s economic climate, the City says it reflects strong financial decisions by Council. The budget looks to provide stable funding for the City while new and alternative revenue streams and process improvements to reduce costs and increase capacity are explored.

Budget deliberations were held last week, hearing from residents, businesses, and community groups who said a need for infrastructure renewal while managing the overall tax increase was needed.

Mayor Kermit Dahl says as a fellow Campbell River resident, he fully appreciates the impacts of the big tax increase, but the decision was not made lightly. He says, “High inflation, supply chain issues, labour market shortages and fixed increases to City contracts meant a tax increase was inevitable for 2023, however, I am proud of the work that staff and Council completed to minimize the increase while also investing in major needs for the community.”

The budget is scheduled for three readings on March 30, 2023, and is expected to be adopted at the Council meeting on April 13, 2023.

The final 2023 Budget will be posted to the City website in the coming weeks to reflect the changes made during budget deliberations.

Read the full news release at City of Campbell River.