Courtenay Annual Report 2025 draft

Strategic priorities

2023–26

Status

Notes

Advocate for review of small business taxes and differentiated tax rate

Ongoing

Ongoing advocacy regarding the review of small business taxes and the implementation of a differentiated tax rate.

Review City financial processes

Ongoing

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 investment policy was adopted in 2022, followed by the procurement policy, including social and Indigenous procurement, in 2023. Several reserves were established or updated in 2024. Work continues on reserve updates, with additional reserve and permissive tax policies anticipated in the second quarter of 2026. The Fees and Charges Bylaw is updated regularly to reflect changes in services and operating costs for services like permits, facility rentals, utilities and more. Ongoing updates support fairness and transparency in how costs are shared between the City and the community.

Review fees, charges and fines

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, 2025 and 2026 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.

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