2024 Annual Report Draft

Financial sustainability The long-term financial health of the City is central to ensuring services, facilities and infrastructure will be secure for current and future generations. Long-term asset management and financial planning are essential to the City's financial sustainability.

Strategic Priorities 2023-2026

Status

Notes

The City of Courtenay is advocating for a review of small business taxes and exploring the implementation of a differentiated tax rate. This initiative aims to support small businesses, promote economic vitality and create a tax structure that is reflective of their unique needs and contributions to the community.

Advocate for review of small business taxes and differentiated tax rate.

Ongoing

Online budget engagement How would you balance the budget for an entire city? The City of Courtenay has been offering residents the chance to give it a try through the “Balancing Act” budget simulation tool. Used for the 2024 and 2025 budget years, the tool is designed to give residents a better understanding of the City’s complex annual budget process in a user-friendly, accessible format. Residents can use the tool to make their budget choices for revenue and expenditures for the general and utility funds. Budgets are grouped by function, such as “public safety” and “recreation.” Respondents can use the tool to increase or decrease revenues and expenses at the department level. To balance the budget, they can either shift budgets between categories, or raise or lower taxes – and share those choices with the City. The budget simulator will be offered again in fall 2025 for the 2026 budget.

South Courtenay Riverway Trail

City of Courtenay | 2024 Annual Report

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