City Budget
The City strives to maintain quality programs and services for citizens and keep taxes affordable for our businesses and households.
Annually the City updates the 5-year Financial Plan and the 10-year Project Plan. Balancing changing needs and priorities within the community.
The Final 2020 - 2024 Financial Plan was adopted by Council on May 11, 2020. The budget reflects decisions made by Council during the budget review process in 2019 and the Spring of 2020.
Budget Highlights
- Increased funding for Economic Development.
- 15 new RCMP members, three per year over a five-year period, 2020 – 2024.
- Continuation of the multi-year project to replace Fire Station #1.
- Metral Drive Complete Street project - this comprehensive project stretches from Mostar Road to Aulds Road and includes infrastructure improvements such as streetlights, sidewalks, cycling facilities as well as utility renewals and upgrades.
- Investment of over $20 million in the next 5 years in cycling and pedestrian amenities.
- Construction of a new dock facility at Gallows Point to ensure safe and usable public access for residents and emergency services.
- Completion of the first lit baseball field in Nanaimo at Serauxmen Stadium.
- Construction of the Harewood Youth Park as per the Harewood Centennial Park Improvement Plan.
- Phased development of the Waterfront Walkway.
Read the 2020-2024 Financial Plan QuickFacts for highlights of the Final 2020 – 2024 Financial Plan.
Read the 2020 - 2024 Financial Plan for an overview of the plan.
Property Tax Q&A's
2020 Departmental Business Plans
During the Fall of 2019 departments presented to Council their 2020 Departmental Business Plans (listed below)
City Administration:
Chief Administrator's Office Business Plan
Human Resources Business Plan
Legislative Service and Communications Business Plan
Corporate Services:
Finance Business Plan
Information Technology Business Plan
Emergency Management Business Plan
Police Services Business Plan
Development Services:
Community Development Business Plan
Bylaw Services and Parking Business Plan
Development Approvals Business Plan
Engineering and Public Works:
Engineering and Public Works Business Plan
Parks, Recreation and Culture:
Facility and Parks Operations Business Plan
Recreation and Culture Business Plan
Nanaimo Fire Rescue:
Nanaimo Fire Rescue Business Plan
RCMP:
RCMP Business Plan
Upcoming Budget Sessions:
To be announced in the Fall of 2020 for the 2021 – 2025 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.
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.
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, which set out Council priorities and will guide Council decision making and the Financial Plan over the Council term.
The four strategic themes for the plan are:
- Governance Excellence
- Environmental Responsibility
- Economic Health
- Livability
20-Year Investment Plan
On April 5, 2017, staff presented a 20-Year Infrastructure Investment Plan to Council. The plan included projected investment required over the next twenty years for current infrastructure renewal, for new/upgraded infrastructure required due to growth and for specific investment.
Development of the City's first 20 Year Infrastructure Investment Plan was led by the City's Asset Management Steering Committee and included input from the DCC Review Committee. Both committees have representation from across the organization including engineering, development, facilities, IT and finance disciplines.
The 20 Year Infrastructure Investment Plan identified a projected infrastructure investment need of $1.1 billion with current funding strategies providing $794 million. The total potential funding gap is $258 million. The gap is comprised of a funding shortfall of $117 million in development contribution charges for new and upgraded infrastructure required due to growth and $141 million for infrastructure renewal funded from general revenues and reserves. Council approved the following recommendations to close the funding gap:
- Continuation of 1% annual increase to property taxes to 2022 for contributions to the General Asset Management Fund Reserve
- Completion of the DCC Review and adoption of new rates bylaw
- Continued development of the City's asset management capacity
The new DCC rate bylaw was adopted in the Spring of 2018. The City's Asset Management Steering Committee is currently leading several key initiatives.
Read the 20-Year Investment Plan.
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
2019 - 2023 Financial Plan
The Final 2019 – 2023 Financial Plan was adopted by Council on May 6, 2019. The budget reflects decisions made by Council during the budget review process in 2018 and the Spring of 2019.
Read the 2019-2023 Financial Plan Quick Facts for highlights of the Final 2019 – 2023 Financial Plan.
Read the Final Budget in Brief for an overview of the plan.
2018 - 2022 Financial Plan
The Final 2018 – 2022 Financial Plan was adopted by Council on May 9, 2018. The budget reflects decisions made by Council during the budget review process in 2017 and the Spring of 2018.
Read the 2018-2022 Financial Plan Quick Facts* for highlights of the Final 2018 – 2022 Financial Plan.
*Revised June 1, 2018 for School District Tax Rate.