The City of Courtenay has launched an online tool that gives residents a hands-on way to explore City finances and share their priorities as part of the 2026 financial planning process.

The Balancing Act budget simulator allows participants to adjust spending and revenue across City services and see how their choices affect the overall budget.

Residents are required to balance the budget, reflecting the legislative requirement for municipalities in British Columbia to adopt a balanced budget each year.

Try the Balancing Act budget simulator by January 15, 2025, at City of Courtenay.

Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells says the simulator provides an accessible way for residents to understand how the City budget works and offer input before the financial plan is brought forward to council.

“This tool makes it easier for people to see how budget decisions are connected,” said Mayor Wells.

He says it walks residents through real choices and shows how those choices affect the budget as a whole.

Input collected through the simulator, through January 27, will help inform the City’s 2026 financial plan.

Additional budget information, reports, and updates will be shared on the City’s website as the process continues.