Local governments are in varying stages of their budget deliberations, however all are projected to increase taxes around seven per cent in 2026. (NanaimoNewsNOW/Town of Qualicum Beach photos)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

tax time

Council budget discussions underway with proposed tax increases on the table

Nov 24, 2025 | 11:22 AM

NANAIMO — Tough decisions are set to be made over the coming weeks, with the ripple effects set to hit household budgets.

Municipal governments across the region have begun updating their five year financial plans and will look to lock down a property taxation rate to pay for city or town services.

In Nanaimo, a draft financial plan presented to Council on Friday, Nov. 21 showed a projected increase of 7.1 per cent, including one per cent for contributions to the asset management reserve.

The rate could, and very likely will, change as Council add or remove items from the budget.

A projected 8.7 per cent increase in December 2024 ultimately became a 7.8 per cent jump for 2025.

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The City is scheduled to host an e-Town Hall focusing on the financial plan and the budget on Monday, Dec. 1 beginning at 7 p.m. where members of the public both in attendance and online can submit questions or comments.

Questions are also being accepted prior to the event by using the hashtag #NanaimoTH on Instagram, Bluesky and Twitter, or by calling 250 754 4251 during regular business hours.

Comments can also be left on the City’s Facebook page.

Parksville
Council is midway through their deliberations on the City’s five year plan, with the first three readings of the bylaw due mid-December.

Draft financial plans propose a property tax increase of 5.8 per cent, including one per cent for capital reserves and 0.2 per cent for a Protective Services Reserve fund.

Staff note the figure would result in approximately $122 extra for the average Parksville home valued at $750,000, plus applicable water and sewer utility fees.

More details on the budget process are available on the City of Parksville’s website.

Qualicum Beach
Initial strategic planning sessions took place in October and earlier in November, with budget planning meetings scheduled for January.

As of publication, Town staff have not released a draft version of their 2026-2030 Financial Plan, but will do so prior to public consultation meetings scheduled on Jan. 14 and Jan. 28, 2026.

Council is due to adopt its financial plan bylaw by April 1, 2026.

The tax increase for 2025 was 6.6 per cent, including 3.8 per cent for operations, 1.3 per cent for police services and 1.5 per cent for asset management.

Once published, the draft financial plan will be available on the Town of Qualicum Beach’s website.

District of Lantzville
Early discussions among staff and Council have started with a 6.5 per cent increase.

Regional District of Nanaimo
A 7.5 per cent tax increase is projected for residents in the RDN, as of a staff report issued earlier in November.

The budget estimates the RDN will bring in $102 million in taxes in 2026, an increase of just over $7 million from last year.

Adoption of financial plans
Provincial legislation requires municipal governments adopt updated financial plans by May 15 each year.

All figures and projected increases are temporary until Council conducts final reading of their respective financial plan bylaws.

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