The Regional District of Nanaimo is projecting a 10 per cent tax increase in its 2025 budget.
The 2025-2029 aggregated financial plan, reported on Nov. 5 at the RDN board meeting, reflect a tax change that is less than the 15.7 per cent the RDN estimated for 2025 in the previous financial plan. The 10 per cent equates to a total tax requisition of $96,343,423, an $8,752,431 hike from 2024.
There are items in the RDN's operations driving 67 per cent of the increase in tax requisition. They are wastewater treatment ($1,958,156), including southern and northern wastewater treatment; Fire Protection Area ($1,163,418), including 13 separate local service areas; Ravensong Aquatic Centre ($531,539); Regional and Community Parks ($1,308,821), including eight local community park services and regional parks; and transportation services ($902,272).
The total cost for an average home worth $745,143 in Parksville for 2025 will go up by $102; while in the Town of Qualicum Beach, the average home home ($937,823) cost will increase $124.
In other areas in District 69 the projected property tax rates for 2025:
• Electoral Area E (Nanoose Bay) average home of $1,260,809, the total cost is $1,245, up $100.
• Electoral Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood) average home of $802,034 the total cost is $918, up $77.
• Electoral Area G (French Creek, San Pareil, Little Qualicum, Englishman River) average home of $996.940 the total cost is $1,179, up $82.
• Electoral Area H (Bowser, Qualicum Bay, Deep Bay) average home of $902,915 the total cost is $1,008, up $97.
The RDN board received the report and is scheduled to consider adopting the 2025-2029 Financial Plan on Dec. 10.
