The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) board adopted its 2025-2029 financial plan on March 18, which is comprised of $111.6 million for the 2025 operating budget and $102.8 million for the 2025 capital budget.
The Local Government Act section 374 requires regional districts to have a financial plan adopted annually by March 31. The planning period covered must be a minimum of five years. The budget includes estimated expenditures to provide for the Board’s priorities, policies and existing services. Sufficient funds need to be raised to ensure individual service operating budgets and capital projects remain balanced and the cost of debt servicing for capital projects is funded.
“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. 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,” explains Lucy Wiwcharuk, CVRD Chief Financial Officer.
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 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.
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 investment in sustainable service delivery, advancements in infrastructure, investments in community recreation and protecting our natural greenspaces.
For 2025, 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.
| Estimated Costs to Single Family Residential Property | 2024 Typical Household | 2025 Typical Household | Estimated Total Increase |
| Courtenay | $527.40 | $566.59 | $39.20 |
| Comox | $555.36 | $616.41 | $61.05 |
| Cumberland | $543.12 | $588.71 | $45.59 |
| Electoral Area A - Baynes Sound | $1,274.37 | $1,313.99 | $39.62 |
| Electoral Area A - Denman | $1,792.19 | $1,925.19 | $133.00 |
| Electoral Area A - Hornby | $1,981.66 | $2,093.31 | $111.65 |
| Electoral Area B | $1,401.78 | $1,475.32 | $73.54 |
| Electoral Area C | $1,196.08 | $1,259.18 | $63.10 |
The budget includes several significant CVRD initiatives.
- Creation of new Fire Halls across the electoral areas and enhanced emergency initiatives through Comox Valley Emergency Management.
- 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 new facility.
- Expanded parks projects such as new trails for Lazo Road, safer walking paths for Royston and a major upgrade to the Dyke Road Park.
- A new artificial turf field to support the growing demand for outdoor sports groups.
- Completion of the Sewer Conveyance Upgrade.
- Planned Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrades.
- Investigation and planning for the Water South Services Extension project.
- Investigation and planning for Phase II Union Bay Water Treatment Plan.
- Continued asset renewal and replacement for the Union Bay Water Pipe Replacement project.
- Investment in developing more affordable rental housing units within the Comox Valley through a Housing Authority.
“Investing in our community is a priority,” explains CVRD Board Chair, Will Cole-Hamilton. “We want to ensure residents continue to see value for their services and realize the importance that these services offer on a daily basis. As well, in response to the public interest in the recent Alternative Approval Process for affordable housing, the Board has opted to proceed with a housing authority to increase the supply of affordable rental units for the Comox Valley. After much deliberation, the tax portion of the total increase for this initiative from last year to this year is $4.72 per year. The Board recognizes that every tax increase matters - and this modest increase will offer significant returns for affordable units within the community.”
Want to learn more about the financial planning process, ask questions, and review the approved budgets visit: https://engagecomoxvalley.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