City Budget Planning

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The municipal budgeting process is a planning tool that enhances your local government's accountability and service delivery and sets out their legal expenditure authority. Local governments must annually adopt a financial plan in accordance with the Local Government Act and the Community Charter. The planning period must include the current fiscal year and the next four fiscal years (five-year plan). Legislation establishes requirements and deadlines for adoption of financial plans by May 15 of each calendar year.

LET'S CONNECT

Every year the City of Port Alberni creates a financial plan that guides how we invest in services, infrastructure and community priorities. The 2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan sets our direction for the next five years — ensuring we can deliver reliable services today while preparing for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

WHY IT MATTERS

The financial plan is more than numbers — it’s a reflection of our community’s values. It determines how we:

  • Maintain and improve roads, water systems and parks
  • Fund essential services like fire protection, recreation and waste management
  • Support economic growth, safety and sustainability initiatives
  • Balance affordability for residents and businesses

OUR CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Planning ahead means making choices. We must balance limited revenues with rising costs, aging infrastructure, and growing expectations for service. At the same time, we have opportunities to invest in areas that strengthen Port Alberni — including neighbourhood renewal, waterfront development, and community safety.

HOW WE PAY FOR CITY SERVICES

City revenues come from a mix of:

  • Property taxes
  • Utility fees (water, sewer, garbage)
  • Grants
  • User fees and permits

These funds cover the many costs of running a city — everything from maintaining facilities and utilities to delivering recreation, promoting economic development and providing planning services.

Here is a breakdown of how your 2025 tax dollars were allocated across the many City services based on the average Port Alberni household:

PROPERTY TAX & ASSESSMENTS

Your property taxes are based on the assessed value of your property as determined by BC Assessment, an independent third party who values all property in British Columbia. Your property’s assessment determines your share of City taxes. An increase in assessment doesn’t always mean a higher tax bill — it depends on how your property’s change compares to others.

Taxes are calculated as:

Rising assessments do not always mean that property taxes will increase

GET CONNECTED AND STAY CONNECTED

Your feedback is vital in shaping the 2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan. Over the next five months, Council and staff will review budgets, host public discussions, and refine the plan based on what we hear from you.

Here’s how to get and stay connected:

  • Attend upcoming budget meetings and open houses (check out the Key Dates for details)
  • Review the draft plan online (Check out the Documents section!)
  • Ask questions directly through this page (see below)
  • Email us at council@portalberni.ca
  • Submit your feedback in-person at City Hall
  • Sign up for updates


The municipal budgeting process is a planning tool that enhances your local government's accountability and service delivery and sets out their legal expenditure authority. Local governments must annually adopt a financial plan in accordance with the Local Government Act and the Community Charter. The planning period must include the current fiscal year and the next four fiscal years (five-year plan). Legislation establishes requirements and deadlines for adoption of financial plans by May 15 of each calendar year.

LET'S CONNECT

Every year the City of Port Alberni creates a financial plan that guides how we invest in services, infrastructure and community priorities. The 2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan sets our direction for the next five years — ensuring we can deliver reliable services today while preparing for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

WHY IT MATTERS

The financial plan is more than numbers — it’s a reflection of our community’s values. It determines how we:

  • Maintain and improve roads, water systems and parks
  • Fund essential services like fire protection, recreation and waste management
  • Support economic growth, safety and sustainability initiatives
  • Balance affordability for residents and businesses

OUR CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Planning ahead means making choices. We must balance limited revenues with rising costs, aging infrastructure, and growing expectations for service. At the same time, we have opportunities to invest in areas that strengthen Port Alberni — including neighbourhood renewal, waterfront development, and community safety.

HOW WE PAY FOR CITY SERVICES

City revenues come from a mix of:

  • Property taxes
  • Utility fees (water, sewer, garbage)
  • Grants
  • User fees and permits

These funds cover the many costs of running a city — everything from maintaining facilities and utilities to delivering recreation, promoting economic development and providing planning services.

Here is a breakdown of how your 2025 tax dollars were allocated across the many City services based on the average Port Alberni household:

PROPERTY TAX & ASSESSMENTS

Your property taxes are based on the assessed value of your property as determined by BC Assessment, an independent third party who values all property in British Columbia. Your property’s assessment determines your share of City taxes. An increase in assessment doesn’t always mean a higher tax bill — it depends on how your property’s change compares to others.

Taxes are calculated as:

Rising assessments do not always mean that property taxes will increase

GET CONNECTED AND STAY CONNECTED

Your feedback is vital in shaping the 2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan. Over the next five months, Council and staff will review budgets, host public discussions, and refine the plan based on what we hear from you.

Here’s how to get and stay connected:

  • Attend upcoming budget meetings and open houses (check out the Key Dates for details)
  • Review the draft plan online (Check out the Documents section!)
  • Ask questions directly through this page (see below)
  • Email us at council@portalberni.ca
  • Submit your feedback in-person at City Hall
  • Sign up for updates


Questions & Answers

The City receives, tracks and responds to questions from the public using several platforms (email, phone, Committee of the Whole meetings, Question Period at Regular meetings of Council, in-person at City Hall and on this Let's Connect page. Any questions asked on the City's five-year financial plan or budgeting process are saved and responded to here. 

If you have a question you would like to ask, please use this Q&A tool to submit it to the project team. We will do our best to respond to your question using this tool in a timely manner. 

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  • Share Is Council still planning on making the city parking from slanted to parallel parking? on Facebook Share Is Council still planning on making the city parking from slanted to parallel parking? on Twitter Share Is Council still planning on making the city parking from slanted to parallel parking? on Linkedin Email Is Council still planning on making the city parking from slanted to parallel parking? link

    Is Council still planning on making the city parking from slanted to parallel parking?

    Nathan Tsai asked 29 days ago

    Please forward your question to infrastructure@portalberni.ca.

  • Share Does the taxation chart include utility fees? on Facebook Share Does the taxation chart include utility fees? on Twitter Share Does the taxation chart include utility fees? on Linkedin Email Does the taxation chart include utility fees? link

    Does the taxation chart include utility fees?

    ScottB asked 11 months ago

    Utilities operations are funded through user fees.

  • Share Are grants or other funding sources being considered to cover some of the capital costs, or will they come solely from taxation? on Facebook Share Are grants or other funding sources being considered to cover some of the capital costs, or will they come solely from taxation? on Twitter Share Are grants or other funding sources being considered to cover some of the capital costs, or will they come solely from taxation? on Linkedin Email Are grants or other funding sources being considered to cover some of the capital costs, or will they come solely from taxation? link

    Are grants or other funding sources being considered to cover some of the capital costs, or will they come solely from taxation?

    19 days ago

    The current report outlines project costs, but Administration has yet to confirm the funding sources, including potential grants.

  • Share Given the proposed tax increase in 2030, would it make sense to gradually raise taxes over the next few years instead? on Facebook Share Given the proposed tax increase in 2030, would it make sense to gradually raise taxes over the next few years instead? on Twitter Share Given the proposed tax increase in 2030, would it make sense to gradually raise taxes over the next few years instead? on Linkedin Email Given the proposed tax increase in 2030, would it make sense to gradually raise taxes over the next few years instead? link

    Given the proposed tax increase in 2030, would it make sense to gradually raise taxes over the next few years instead?

    19 days ago

    This is a good suggestion. We’ve been strengthening our reserves and are working on a long-term strategy to manage capital expenses.

  • Share Will there be a report on the facility condition assessments for Council soon? on Facebook Share Will there be a report on the facility condition assessments for Council soon? on Twitter Share Will there be a report on the facility condition assessments for Council soon? on Linkedin Email Will there be a report on the facility condition assessments for Council soon? link

    Will there be a report on the facility condition assessments for Council soon?

    19 days ago

    Yes, staff are working on the assessments, and Administration will present the findings and plans to Council once ready.

  • Share Why is the Multiplex roof replacement scheduled for 2028? Is the roof 25 years old? on Facebook Share Why is the Multiplex roof replacement scheduled for 2028? Is the roof 25 years old? on Twitter Share Why is the Multiplex roof replacement scheduled for 2028? Is the roof 25 years old? on Linkedin Email Why is the Multiplex roof replacement scheduled for 2028? Is the roof 25 years old? link

    Why is the Multiplex roof replacement scheduled for 2028? Is the roof 25 years old?

    19 days ago

    The roof is indeed 25 years old. We’ve extended its lifespan with repairs, but it’s now at the end of its useful life.

  • Share There’s a discrepancy between our medical call numbers and BC Ambulance’s. Is this a result of faulty data or miscommunication? on Facebook Share There’s a discrepancy between our medical call numbers and BC Ambulance’s. Is this a result of faulty data or miscommunication? on Twitter Share There’s a discrepancy between our medical call numbers and BC Ambulance’s. Is this a result of faulty data or miscommunication? on Linkedin Email There’s a discrepancy between our medical call numbers and BC Ambulance’s. Is this a result of faulty data or miscommunication? link

    There’s a discrepancy between our medical call numbers and BC Ambulance’s. Is this a result of faulty data or miscommunication?

    19 days ago

    The discrepancy might stem from different reporting systems. We’re implementing a new records management system to track data more accurately.

  • Share Could you explain the $500,000 reduction in the wages and benefits line? on Facebook Share Could you explain the $500,000 reduction in the wages and benefits line? on Twitter Share Could you explain the $500,000 reduction in the wages and benefits line? on Linkedin Email Could you explain the $500,000 reduction in the wages and benefits line? link

    Could you explain the $500,000 reduction in the wages and benefits line?

    19 days ago

    The reduction was an error; the accurate wage and benefits figure should be around $4.2 million for 2025, not a decrease.

  • Share Is there an opportunity to share a fire prevention officer with the ACRD? on Facebook Share Is there an opportunity to share a fire prevention officer with the ACRD? on Twitter Share Is there an opportunity to share a fire prevention officer with the ACRD? on Linkedin Email Is there an opportunity to share a fire prevention officer with the ACRD? link

    Is there an opportunity to share a fire prevention officer with the ACRD?

    19 days ago

    This could be an option, though adding a full-time firefighter would provide more value than a fire prevention officer at this time.

  • Share Do we compensate each organization for shared services like building inspectors with the ACRD? on Facebook Share Do we compensate each organization for shared services like building inspectors with the ACRD? on Twitter Share Do we compensate each organization for shared services like building inspectors with the ACRD? on Linkedin Email Do we compensate each organization for shared services like building inspectors with the ACRD? link

    Do we compensate each organization for shared services like building inspectors with the ACRD?

    19 days ago

    Yes, we track and share costs with a small administration fee, especially when one of the jurisdictions needs extra support.

Page last updated: 12 Dec 2025, 08:53 AM