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.
Upcoming Budget Sessions:
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
Council has completed a draft Strategic Plan and is seeking input from the community. Council has identified four strategic themes for the plan:
- Governance Excellence
- Environmental Responsibility
- Economic Health
- Livability
Once adopted the Strategic Plan will provide the strategic goals and priorities for their term. This will provide guidance for future Financial Plans.
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.
Budget Highlights
- Continues focus on public safety, with $29.6 million for police services, $18.7 million for fire services including 911 and emergency management and $2.9 million for Bylaw, Regulation and Security.
- 15 new RCMP members, 3 per year over a 5-year period, 2020 – 2024.
- Continuation of the multi-year project to replace Fire Station #1.
- Increases funding for projects to support the City’s 20 Year Investment Plan.
- Continues work on the revitalization of 1 Port Drive.The revitalization of these lands will help connect the South Downtown Waterfront with the City’s core.
- Expansion of cycling lanes in support of the Transportation Master Plan and the goal of doubling active transportation trips by the year 2041.
- Phase 2 (2019) and Phase 3 (2020) of the LED streetlight conversion program.
- Construction of the Harewood Youth Park Phase 1 (2019), Phase 2 (2021) as per the Harewood Centennial Park Improvement Plan received by Council in 2013.
- Strategic Plan update with new Council.
- Phased development of the Waterfront Walkway linked to the Strategic Plan Update in 2016.
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.
Departmental Business Plans as presented November 2018
Chief Administrator's Office Business Plan
Legislative Service and Communications Business Plan
Human Resources Business Plan
Finance Business Plan
Information Technology Business Plan
Community Development Business Plan
Police Services Business Plan
Nanaimo Fire Rescue Business Plan
Bylaw, Regulation, and Security Business Plan
Engineering and Public Works Business Plan
Parks and Recreation Business 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.
The 2018 – 2022 Financial Plan includes many initiatives linked to the Strategic Plan Update including: phased development of a Waterfront Walkway, Georgia Avenue Greenway and annual contributions to the Housing Legacy reserve. In addition, the plan includes significant investment in infrastructure renewal projects, annual social, cultural and sports grant programs, new cycling, pedestrian, transit and vehicle amenities and water conservation programs.
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.