CVRD Board Adopts Budget And Invests In Local Community

The Comox Valley Regional District board adopted its 2025-2029 financial plan.

It’s comprised of $111.6 million for the 2025 operating budget and $102.8 million for the 2025 capital budget.

Unlike municipalities, the Regional District does not collect property taxes directly from residents and instead requisitions funds from each member local government, with the Province issuing and collecting rural property taxes in each of the rural areas.

The CVRD operates approximately 100 individual services with each falling under one of the eight core services.

The District says the plan supports the Regional District Board’s investment in sustainable service delivery, advancements in infrastructure, investments in community recreation and protecting natural greenspaces.

“In consideration of the economic uncertainty occurring, the 2025 financial planning process focused on maintaining current service levels over the short and long term while minimizing impact to residents.”, explains Lucy Wiwcharuk, CVRD Chief Financial Officer.

“The budget was reviewed carefully and, where financially sound, 2024 surplus and reserve funds were used to help reduce tax increases. In an economic climate of high inflation and potential tariffs, every effort was given to keeping service delivery costs down and impacts to households reasonable”.

The tax requisition will increase by $2.3 million from 2024 or 7.2%. The cost to a typical household depends on the area your property is located and the services that are provided.

It works out to an increase of about $39.00 in Courtenay, $61.00 in Comox, and about $45.00 in Cumberland.

The budget includes several significant CVRD initiatives, including the creation of new Fire Halls across the electoral areas and enhanced emergency initiatives through Comox Valley Emergency Management.

It also increased investment in the Comox Valley Search and Rescue, including reserve contributions of $200,000 annually for the next three years to support the Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue’s new facility.

Expanded parks projects include new trails for Lazo Road, safer walking paths for Royston and a major upgrade to the Dyke Road Park.

Money will also benefit a new artificial turf field to support the growing demand for outdoor sports groups, the completion of the Sewer Conveyance Upgrade Project, and investment in developing more affordable rental housing units within the Comox Valley through a Housing Authority.

You can learn more at Engage Comox Valley.