The Regional District of Nanaimo is inviting residents to learn more about its 2018 proposed budget.
The RDN wants to ensure members of the community have an opportunity to share their thoughts or ask questions. Those interested in taking part in the process can attend the regular committee of the whole (COW) meeting on Nov. 28, where the preliminary 2018 budget and business plans for each service area will be presented for approval by the board.
The 2018 budget is contingent on the 2017-2021 financial plan that was approved under Bylaw No. 1755. The forecasted residential tax rates are based on 2017 assessment and on the 2017-2021 financial plan. The five-year financial plan predicted a $3.2 million overall increase to total property taxes in 2018, but the 2017 budget contained two large decreases for the return of the Island Corridor Foundation project grant requisition and the reversal of the Ravensong Aquatic Centre debt servicing requisition.
Next year, the projected increase in residential tax rates would be one per cent for City of Parksville and Electoral Areas F and G. The Town of Qualicum would see its tax rate cut minimally, by less than one per cent. Electoral Area H would see a rate cut of nearly two per cent. Electoral Area E would remain unchanged.
The COW meeting will be held at the board chambers in the Regional District Administration Building, 6300 Hammond Bay Rd., Nanaimo.
For those who would like to share input at this meeting, RDN staff encourages residents to complete an online form 24 hours prior to the meeting. It can be found at www.rdn.bc.ca/appearing-as-a-delegation.
Residents may also connect and register at www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/rdn-budget-talks to learn more, and to ask questions and receive answers from the finance department. All questions and answers will be displayed on the home page of this project to show transparency and for others to learn more about the budget process.
For a quick summary of the 2017 RDN Budget and Property Tax information for your area or municipality, visit the background documents at the RDN Budget Talks project page at www.getinvolved.rdn.ca. The 2018 proposed Budget summaries will be posted prior to the Nov. 28, 2017 RDN board meeting. The full 2018-2022 financial plan will be presented at future meetings in February of 2018.
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