Nanaimo council is heading into next year鈥檚 budget deliberations with a goal of keeping the property tax increase at three per cent.
Council is working through draft budget documents, with the knowledge the future impact of COVID-19 remains unknown. The budget for 2021 is part of the city鈥檚 five-year financial plan required by the province.
Like all municipalities in sa国际传媒, the city must adopt its property tax bylaw by May 15.
Residents can ask questions about Nanaimo鈥檚 budget at a 7 p.m. eTown Hall on Dec. 7. Prior to that, they can watch videos of budget meetings online.
Nanaimo鈥檚 financial scenario allows for less revenue in the coming year because of the virus and foresees a bounce-back in 2022.
鈥淭he financial plan is based on the pandemic continuing into 2021 including continued restrictions on group/event sizes with operations returning to normal in 2022,鈥� a Nanaimo budget document states.
鈥淭he city has adapted service delivery to ensure the continuity of services while providing for the safety of staff and customers.鈥�
The financial plan expects most recreational facilities to be open next year, with some adjustments because of the 颅pandemic.
Those facilities include Nanaimo Aquatics Centre, Nanaimo Ice Centre, Cliff McNabb Arena, Frank Crane Arena, Beban Social Centre (its pool remains closed for now), Bowen Social Centre and Oliver Woods Community Centre.
Nanaimo is anticipating 鈥渟ignificantly lower than normal revenues in 2021鈥� from recreation operations, parking, casino revenue and investment income, the document said.
Revenues for 2022 are projected to return to normal levels in recreation and parking operations, with a two-year recovery for casino revenue and investment income, the document said.
Nanaimo is projecting operating costs of $153.6 million and revenue of $194.1 million in 2021.
The municipal portion of property taxes would rise by three per cent under the draft plan, which can change as the budgetary process continues.
The general property tax increase would account for two per cent of the increase, with one per cent representing the annual amount going to the city鈥檚 general asset management reserve to support its infrastructure.
Nanaimo鈥檚 five-year plan includes: 15 new RCMP members, at three per year; continuing the multi-year plan to replace Fire Station #1; and completing the Metral Drive Complete Street Corridor with multiple improvements. It also features electrical upgrading to the Beban recreational complex鈥檚 electrical system and investing more than $14 million in the next five years in cycling and pedestrian amenities.
Nanaimo residents can ask questions on the city website at nanaimo.ca/etownhall, on 颅Twitter using #NanaimoTH or in the eTown Hall event found on the City鈥檚 Facebook page 颅(facebook.com/cityofnanaimo).
They can also call 颅250-755-4521 on Monday to 颅Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. prior to the Dec. 7 meeting. During the eTown Hall forum, they can call 250-755-4455.