City Budget
Annually the City updates the Five-Year Financial Plan and the 10-year Project Plan, balancing changing needs and priorities within the community.
In compliance with the Community Charter, the Financial Plan is developed through public consultation and Council direction. Prior to May 15th each year, Council must adopt both a Five Year Financial Plan Bylaw and a Property Tax Rates Bylaw.
2023 – 2027 Financial Plan
The Final 2023 – 2027 Financial Plan was adopted by Council on May 8, 2023 and is focused on public safety. The Financial Plan also includes investment to maintain more than $3 billion worth of assets and provide infrastructure, amenities and services that support a growing community and make Nanaimo a place for living, working and playing.
Budget Highlights
The Financial Plan includes a number of initiatives to support the goals of City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined:
A Green Nanaimo
- Climate action projects including an EV Ready Fleet Plan, Nanaimo E-Mobility Strategy, Building Benchmarking, Home Energy Assessment Rebates and Community Environmental Project Grant program.
- Recycling Enhancement Study to explore long-term options for recycling self-consolidation.
- Continuation of the Midtown Water Supply project constructing two large watermains to enhance the water supply network and build resiliency within the core of the City.
A Connected Nanaimo
- The Midtown Gateway project is transforming a legacy brownfield site into a revitalized neighbourhood gateway featuring complete street transportation corridors.
- Increasing the comfort and safety of all road users with projects including small scale street improvements, pedestrian crossing signal replacement program, updating of safer school travel plans, and traffic calming.
A Healthy Nanaimo
- Forty new firefighters, 20 in 2023 and 20 in 2025.
- Three new RCMP members in 2023 and 2024 as part of the final two years of a plan to add 15 new members over five years.
- Four new police support positions in 2023, two in 2024 and one each in 2025 and 2026 as part of the final fours years of a plan to add 15 new support positions over five years.
- First full year of the new Community Safety Officers and Community Clean Teams.
- Continued investment in the Stadium District, construction of the Harewood Centennial Turf Fields and a new bike park at Harewood Centennial Park to support an active community.
An Empowered Nanaimo
- Investment in recreational opportunities including Loudon Park Improvements and Westwood Lake Phase 2 for residents to enjoy open spaces and waterfronts.
- Continued funding for events to recognize National Indigenous People Day and Truth and Reconciliation Day.
A Prosperous Nanaimo
- Funding for the new Tourism Nanaimo Society to work with stakeholders to develop and market Nanaimo as a destination for visitors.
- Phasing of the Commercial Street Implementation Plan to revitalize the heart of Nanaimo’s downtown.
2023 Final Budget Quick Facts contains highlights of the Provisional Budget.
Read the 2023 - 2027 Financial Plan for an overview of the budget.
2023 Departmental Business Plans, based on the draft budget, and Business Cases that were submitted for consideration for inclusion in the 2023 – 2027 Financial Plan are available below.
Upcoming Budget Sessions:
To be announced in the Fall of 2023 for the 2024 – 2028 Financial Plan
Annual Financial Plans
The City’s integrated planning framework is comprised of separate but complementary planning processes. These processes support alignment and integration of resources and activities to achieve the strategic goals and priorities set by Council.
City Plan
In July 2022, Council adopted City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined (City Plan). City Plan adopts the Doughnut Economics model (pictured below) as a framework for achieving its vision and articulates its focus through five goals. The five goals provide the organizing structure for policies in the City Plan. How and when the actions and policies described in the City Plan come to fruition is the work of City Council, and will evolve as community priorities shift over time.
2019 – 2022 Strategic Plan
In early 2019, Council developed and adopted the 2019 - 2022 Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan has four strategic themes and ten focus areas.
In early 2023, the newly elected Council will update the Strategic Plan.
20 Year Investment Plan
On June 14, 2023, staff will be presenting to the Finance and Audit Committee the 20 Year Investment Plan and Asset Management Plan Update.
Get Involved!
Citizens have an opportunity to provide their input and engage in budget discussions once a Draft Financial Plan is presented to Council. Here is how:
- Attend Council and Finance and Audit Committee Meetings on Budget discussions
- Participate in the annual eTown Hall Meeting to discuss the City of Nanaimo's annual budget