The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) board adopted its 2022-2026 financial plan on March 29 which includes a total consolidated budget for 2022 of $189.8 million, comprised of $86.2M for operating and $103.6M for capital projects.
“The Rethink Comox Valley COVID-19 response and renewal plans endorsed by the CVRD Board in mid-2020 continued to be an important lens focused on this year’s financial planning, particularly as our communities move through these still early stages of recovery”, says Kevin Douville, Manager of Financial Planning and Acting Chief Financial Officer for the CVRD. “This budget represents a measured return to normal, pre-pandemic service levels for many regional services that will continue to face a number of uncertainties due in part to the pandemic.”
The individual budgets for all regional district services were presented to the respective CVRD committees and commissions for review and feedback over an eight week period starting in January. Good fiscal management and financial best practices remain at the core of the CVRD’s annual financial planning process. This year’s financial plan results in an overall 3.78% increase in property tax requisitions from 2021.
“The CVRD delivers 102 services across the entire Comox Valley,” explains CVRD Board Chair Jesse Ketler. “Each homeowner’s property tax impact will vary depending on the mix of regional district services provided to either the municipality or electoral (rural) area in which their home is located. If residents are unsure what services are provided in their area contact the CVRD at 250-334-6000.”
In addition to three new local area services established in 2021 as a result of the conversion of the Union Bay Improvement District, three additional services including Denman and Hornby Islands High-Speed Internet Contribution, Saratoga Beach Community Mosquito Management, and the Baynes Sound Community Facilities all had successful public assent processes.
The 2022 – 2026 financial plan reflects the major capital projects underway throughout the region, including the following planned activities budgeted in 2022:
- Completing construction of the Regional Organics Composting facility in Campbell River which is due to be operational in late 2022.
- Final design, engineering and procurement work for the Comox Valley Sewer Conveyance Project with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2023.
- Wrap up of the Comox Valley Water Treatment Plant project which celebrated its grand opening on September 21, 2021 and is now providing fresh, filtered and fully disinfected drinking water to 50,000 residents.
These projects are in addition to the regular services provided by the CVRD that include land use planning, fire protection, electoral areas parks and greenways, building inspection, drinking water treatment and supply, operation of the waste management centres and recreation facilities. If residents are interested in learning more about the CVRD’s current five-year financial plan they can learn more at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/currentbudget.
The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
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Media Contact:
Kevin Douville, Acting Chief Financial Officer
250-334-6078