The Regional District of Nanaimo board adopted its 2025-2029 financial plan despite strong protests from some taxpayers.
The RDN chamber was filled and, as a precaution, some had to be diverted to the lobby so they could watch the special Dec. 10 board meeting on a TV monitor.
Four delegations spoke against what they said are high taxes they've been enduring every year. They wanted the RDN to review their financial plan and find cost-saving measures to bring down the tax level.
Rob Williams of the the French Creek Residents Association said they support the Northwest Nanoose Bay Residents Association and other residents groups "concerning the level of property taxation and what we view as rampant and uncontrolled increases in those costs over the past few years."
From 2004 to 2014, Williams said taxes in Area G (French Creek, San Pareil, Little Qualicum, Englishman River) increased by 9.7 per cent, and since 2014 taxes went up by 134 per cent. They expect that over the next five years they are slated to further increase by approximately 58 per cent.
"These increases are shocking and not sustainable," said Williams. "Taxpayers are suffering financial hardship, especially today with the high cost of living and many people are struggling."
The RDN's 2025 budget will see tax requisition go up 9.2 per cent from 2024. In the succeeding years, the taxes are projected to go up 15.7 per cent in 2026, 11.5 per cent in 2027, 8.4 per cent in 2028 and 8.2 per cent in 2029.
Barry Nicholls, president of the Fairwinds Community Association, wants the tax requisition over the next five years reduced, calling it "unsustainable."
"Proposed annual increases in property taxes and the cumulative five-year increase of almost 90 per cent are not acceptable to taxpayers," said Nicholls.
Capital expenditures and resulting borrowing, he suggested, need to be reduced or deferred. He agrees essential products or projects such as sewer and water infrastructures, as well as the hospital should continue.
"If I look at your five-year plan, and add it to the last five years, my taxes will have more than tripled," said Nicholls. In fact they would would go up 325 per cent in 10 years. So, if you think that's acceptable, I don't know why we're here, period, because that is not. That is well beyond anything that is reasonable."
The Northwest Nanoose Bay Residents Association offered the RDN board an opportunity to change. Wayne Stark asked the board to make a motion to direct staff to look at the total taxing in each of the major areas for the bottom third of the housing value, the middle third, and the top third.
"So that we can put to rest this conversation of is it affordable?' said Stark. "And let's do it in every area. You've got the numbers. It's just a simple assessment. We're already doing lots of assessments as of the public. I don't think we need to do them all. That would be a great motion. And then from that, assess it on an annual impact and the impact over the full five years. That motion would help us all see what is the tax burden that people are dealing with. And it would help us start to quantify, something really important, a commitment this board made to fiscal balance."
Stark also asked the board not to endorse the financial plan and have it reviewed to prioritize critical infrastructure projects and de-prioritize those that are "desired by not urgently needed."
Stark said they want to help the RDN and have people willing to do so pro bono.
"We would come in for free and sit and go through those plans and help render them in a form where you'd actually be able to make a decision," said Stark. "We're more than happy to do that. We want to help. We've been saying it all the way through."
The RDN board first gave the 2025-2029 financial plan bylaw three readings. It passed, with Area C director Lauren Melanson, Area F director Leanne Salter, Area G director Lehann Wallace and Nanaimo director Sheryl Armstrong opposed.
The financial plan was then adopted with Melanson, Salter, Wallace, Armstrong, Area E director Bob Rogers and Nanaimo director Ian Thorpe opposed.
Rogers said although he favoured to give the financial plan three readings, he could not endorse its adoption.
"This financial plan is not sustainable," said Rogers. "This financial plan for various reasons with respect to some of the capital projects, some of the parkland acquisition aspects within this plan, what I feel is very unreasonable and impossible. Additional staff requests and recommendations, this plan is not feasible. It is not sustainable and I will not be supporting adoption."
Some directors also presented resolutions that will be included in the financial plan which will have to be amended prior to the March 31 deadline.
