Budget 2021

A Recovery Budget

Council and staff are in the process of creating the budget for 2021. Each year as part of the budget process, choices must be made to balance the needs and wants within the municipality. The draft budget is based on Council’s direction to focus the budget on delivering priority projects, maintaining existing service levels, planning for infrastructure renewal, and delivering targeted community revitalization projects.

Looking forward to 2021, after an unprecedented 2020, Council has directed staff to focus on a recovery budget. This means that the 2021 budget will seek to:

  • Return to sustainable tax levels post-COVID-19;
  • Cut capital projects and leverage existing capital by supplementing it with grant funding for eligible projects; and
  • slowly phase back in capital projects over the next year (2021-2022).

Public Feedback

A key milestone in the budget process each year is engaging with residents and gathering their input on the proposed budget and upcoming projects. Since the budget for 2021 looks much different than in previous years, and because we cannot currently gather and host public events, resident feedback will be sought differently this year. 

How you can participate

Over the course of five Committee of the Whole meetings taking place between November 2020 and January 2021, Council will be learning about each department's 2021 business plan, the 5-year financial plan and capital expenditure plan, grant-in-aid requests, and utility budgets and rates. Residents are encouraged to attend these online meetings, to listen and learn, and ask questions to Council and staff. Click on the button for meeting links and details about getting connected:

Committee of the Whole Meeting Schedule

DATE TIME MEETING TOPICS

November 24, 2020

 

 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Department Business Plan Presentations
December 8, 2020 6:00 - 8:00pm Department Business Plan Presentations
December 15, 2020 6:00 - 8:00pm Five-Year Financial Plan and Proposed Capital Plan
January 12, 2021 6:00 - 8:00pm Grant-In-Aid Review and Supplemental Items
January 26, 2021 6:00 - 8:00pm Five-Year Financial Plan and Proposed Utility Budgets and Rates

For more information

Mark Frame, General Manager Financial and Protective Services
250-746-3100
finance@northcowichan.ca 

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