The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) board adopted its 2026-2030 financial plan at the March 24 board meeting, which is comprised of $124.4 million for the 2026 operating budget and $97.8 million for the 2026 capital budget.
Each year, the CVRD updates the financial plan outlining the five-year operational and ten-year capital requirements of each service. Five-year financial plans are required by the province and help map out how we pay for things that residents rely on for a good quality of life: wastewater (sewage) treatment, water services, emergency services, parks management, recreation, planning and development, transportation and more. The Local Government Act section 374 requires regional districts to have a financial plan adopted annually by March 31.
“The financial plan represents the CVRD’s commitment to fiscal responsibility” says Lucy Wiwcharuk, Chief Financial Officer. “Careful attention to managing reserves, debt management, and long-term forecasts was maintained throughout budget development. Several services face significant challenges associated with aging infrastructure.”
The CVRD funds its services through a variety of sources such as sale of services (providing drinking water and managing solid waste), tax revenue through requisition, debt, and grants from other levels of government. Approximately 30% of the budget ($37.6 million) is funded through tax requisitions which has increased by $2.6 million (or 7.6%) from 2025. The cost to a typical household depends on the area your property is located and the services provided.
For 2026, utility rates, fees, and charges revenue to support essential water supply and sewage treatment operations is approximately $33.1 million. Water rates will remain unchanged for 2026. Sewage treatment rates require revenue to rise in 2026 by approximately 5.3% to begin addressing the wastewater treatment plant’s planned upgrade.
The CVRD budget bylaw includes the operations of the Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) service. The CSWM board adopted their 2026 financial plan on January 8, 2026, including $21.8 million in revenue. Tax requisitions associated with this service have remained unchanged at $5.5 million.
The $97.8 million for capital projects is for asset renewal and new infrastructure needed in the community. Major projects include new fire halls for Union Bay and Mount Washington, and asset renewal and life cycling projects for the various recreational facilities and regional community parks. Major infrastructure upgrades for the many water and sewer services are planned, including the completion of the Sewer Conveyance Project.
Unlike municipalities, the Regional District does not collect property taxes directly from residents and instead takes in funds from each member local government, with the province issuing and collecting rural property taxes in each of the electoral (rural) areas. The tax impact on the average home in each specific area varies and is heavily dependent on the unique mix of services provided to each area. The year over year change is determined by using the specified tax rate per service and multiplying by the assessed value provided by BC Assessment.
Electoral Area residents are encouraged to visit the CVRD tax calculator to see estimated 2026 tax rates based on the approved budget. Visit www.engagecomoxvalley.ca/budget for more information.
The CVRD operates approximately 100 individual services with each service falling under one of the eight core services. The approved financial plan supports the Regional District Board’s strategic plan and investment in sustainable service delivery. Service enhancements in the areas of transit, fire and electoral area services will bring additional benefits to the community.
For more information and to learn more about the budget, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/budget.
The Comox Valley Regional District is a partnership of three electoral areas and three municipalities operating on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of the land. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on providing sustainable services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
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Media Contact:
Lucy Wiwcharuk
Chief Financial Officer
250-334-6004