Provisional budget passes three readings, 2026 user rates set

Plan aligns with goals identified in City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed December 19, 2025 9:00 AM

Summary

At their meeting on Dec. 15, 2025, Nanaimo City Council passed three readings of the City's 2026-2030 Provisional Financial Plan. The plan invests in services and infrastructure to support a growing community of over 100,000 with more than $4.8 billion (2021) worth of assets and includes the following highlights:

A Green Nanaimo – Resilient and Regenerative Ecosystems

• Nanaimo Aquatic Centre Dehumidification Improvement project to renew end-of-life assets while incorporating components that significantly reduce the facility’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the same time.
• Continued investments in climate action projects including Building Benchmarking, Cool It! Program and the Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant Program.

A Connected Nanaimo – Equitable Access & Mobility

• Investments to strengthen an inclusive and accessible transportation network, including increased funding for active transportation projects, secure bike parking facilities and pedestrian improvements such as flashers, audible signals and new sidewalks.

A Healthy Nanaimo – Community Wellbeing & Livability

• Continuing a commitment to public safety with the addition of four Community Safety Officers and 12 new RCMP members phased over three years (2025 to 2027).
• Continued funding in the LEAP program to ensure equitable access to recreation programs and facilities for children, youth and families.
• Investment in the renewal and construction of new recreational amenities including new washroom facilities at Maffeo Sutton Park, Phase 3 improvements at Westwood Lake Park, a new amenity building, dock and park amenities at Loudon Park and continued investment in the Stadium District.

An Empowered Nanaimo – Reconciliation, Representation & Inclusion

• Investment in arts and culture including operating grants to support cultural venues and funding for the Temporary Public Art Program and specific installations or renewals in the Stadium District, Colliery Dam Park, Mansfield Park and Harewood Park.
• Ongoing support for events to recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

A Prosperous Nanaimo – Thriving & Resilient Economy

• Continued funding for the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation and Tourism Nanaimo.
• Investment in the development of a multi-year technology roadmap and digital strategy to guide secure, transparent and cost-effective adoption of new technologies and support the implementation of tech-based services to streamline City processes.

The 2026 provisional budget includes the following:

• Property tax increase of 6.3 per cent including a one per cent increase for the General Asset Management Reserve, equivalent to $195 for a household with an assessed value of $787,743.
• Water user fee increase of five per cent, equivalent to $26
• Sewer user fee increase of four per cent, equivalent to $6
• Solid waste user fee increase of five per cent, equivalent to $12

This equals to an annual increase of $239 or roughly $19.92 per month in taxes and fees for a typical household.

Council will have opportunities to review and amend the Financial Plan in April 2026 before adopting the 2026 Property Tax Rates Bylaw. For more information on the 2026-2030 Provisional Financial Plan, please visit www.nanaimo.ca/goto/budget.

Link to Strategic Plan: The 2026-2030 Provisional Financial Plan supports the City's progress towards achieving the five City goals identified in City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined.

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