Town councillors in Qualicum Beach are looking to lock down a property tax increase in the coming weeks, to fund infrastructure replacement and growing operational needs (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

financial planning

Qualicum Beach budget projecting tax increases between 6.5 & 8.1 per cent

Feb 10, 2026 | 11:32 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — Ahead of a May 15 deadline to submit a five-year financial plan, Town councillors are mulling property tax increases.

Staff have outlined three potential scenarios, featuring tax increases of 6.5, seven or 8.1 per cent, to cover costs for the next year, as well as planning key infrastructure and operational improvements in the next five years.

Driving increases in all three scenarios is the desire to set aside more money in reserves for key infrastructure upgrades, to lessen reliance on borrowing money and subsequent interest costs.

The Town said in its budget overview they also need to “undertake systematic annual replacement of aging asbestos cement pipe over the next 25 years.”

Contributions to improving the French Creek Pollution Control Centre, renewal of road surfaces and “replacement of vehicles and equipment at the end of their service life and at high risk of failure” were also outlined.

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Under scenario one, an 8.1 per cent increase, residents in a typical Qualicum Beach home valued at $959,000, would see an increase of $263 over 2025 taxation, including utility fees.

Scenario two (seven per cent) would result in $235 extra, while scenario three’s 6.5 per cent jump would cost $223 per household.

Changes in the tax rate would directly affect municipal operations only.

A total accounting for 0.7 per cent of taxation increases would be set aside for police services from Oceanside RCMP in all three scenarios.

Asset replacement and new asset investment levies are also uniform across the board, at 1.3 and 0.4 per cent, respectively.

Council is poised to give their first directions on a proposed property tax increase on Wednesday, Feb. 11, with further deliberation due two weeks later on the financial plan bylaw itself.

Adoption is expected on April 1.

Municipal governments must submit balanced budgets and five-year financial plans to the province by May 15.

More information on the budget process, along with opportunities to provide feedback and comments on the plan, is on the Town of Qualicum Beach’s website.

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