The Comox Valley Regional District has approved its 2026–2030 financial plan.

The budget was adopted at the March 24 board meeting and includes a $124.4 million operating budget and a $97.8 million capital budget for 2026.

The regional district updates its financial plan each year, outlining five-year operational needs and longer-term capital requirements for services like water, wastewater treatment, emergency services, parks, recreation, and transportation.

The plan is required by the province and must be in place by the end of March.

CVRD Chief Financial Officer Lucy Wiwcharuk says the plan reflects a focus on fiscal responsibility, with attention on managing reserves, debt, and long-term planning.

She notes several services are facing pressure from aging infrastructure.

About 30 percent of the budget is funded through tax requisitions, which is up $2.6 million, or 7.6 percent, from last year.

The overall impact on households will vary depending on location and the services provided in each area.

Revenue from utility rates, fees, and charges is expected to reach about $33.1 million in 2026.

Water rates will remain unchanged, while sewage treatment rates are set to increase by about 5.3 per cent to support upgrades to the wastewater treatment system.

The budget also includes operations for the Comox Strathcona Waste Management service, which has a $21.8 million financial plan.

Nearly $98 million is earmarked for capital projects, including new fire halls in Union Bay and Mount Washington, upgrades to recreational facilities and parks, and ongoing work on water and sewer infrastructure.

That includes continued progress on the Sewer Conveyance Project.

Unlike municipalities, the CVRD does not collect property taxes directly. Funding is gathered through member municipalities, while the province handles taxation in rural electoral areas.

The tax impact varies depending on assessed property values and the mix of services in each community.

Residents in electoral areas can use an online tax calculator to estimate their 2026 costs, while more information on the budget is available through the regional district.

The CVRD says the approved plan supports its strategic priorities and includes service enhancements in areas like transit, fire protection, and electoral area services.

To learn more, visit Comox Valley Regional District.