Tax increases in N.C., African Children's Choir and more.
Weekend update
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Join us Tuesday March 4th 7:30 pm (PST) for a special podcast as we welcome the African Children’s Choir. This world-renowned choir, made up of talented kids from across Africa, uses the power of music to inspire hope and change lives. We’ll be talking about their mission, their journey, and what makes their performances so special. Plus, we’ll share details on how you can experience their live concert on March 19 at 7:00 PM at Camp Qwanoes.
A little about the tax hikes here on the front page of Edition 17
North Cowichan Tax Debate Continues On..
Have your say this Wed, March 5th at 5pm (Council Chambers) You must get there no later than 4:45 to sign in if you want to speak at public input.
Cllr. Caljouw, has also put forward a motion for staff to explore surplus properties - possibly to generate NC more revenue, outside taxation. You can speak on this as well on Wed.
A letter from Catalyst non-profit is also being presented to Council for their information regarding developing the old high school land.
Tax Breakdowns
We are nearing the end of the tax debate season in the CVRD and North Cowichan.
North Cowichan held many meetings, some 4 hours long which we will give a summary of below.
Here's a breakdown of the tax increases originally presented by staff as North Cowichan's 2025-2029 Operating and Capital Budget:
Overall Tax Increase for 2025
The required tax revenue increase for 2025 is 10.04% over 2024.
This includes a 1.25% increase due to non-market changes (e.g., new construction).
Key Factors Contributing to the Tax Increase
Debt Servicing (+$1.2M, 32.9% increase)
Paying interest and principal on RCMP detachment debt ($21M total).
Rising interest rates.
Protective Services (+$2.85M, 22.2% increase)
RCMP contract increase: +$678K.
E-Comm 911 costs: +$664K.
Increased building maintenance for the new RCMP detachment: +$103K.
Fire Department costs:
Paid-on-call pilot program: +$400K.
Fire Inspector position: +$49K.
Mandatory training/safety: +$332K.
Engineering & Environment (+$460K, 12.4% increase)
Reallocating Climate Energy and Adaptation Program (CAEP) costs.
Operations (+$856K, 10.6% increase)
Garbage & recycling contract increases: +$470K.
Road and drainage maintenance (snow removal, markings, street cleaning).
Service Enhancements Adding to the Budget
New Positions:
Fire Inspector ($49.7K)
HR Admin Assistant ($15.7K)
Building Admin Assistant ($43.8K)
Infrastructure & Maintenance:
Road markings ($15.8K)
Trail maintenance ($25K)
Grounds maintenance ($10K)
Janitorial services ($15K)
Urban Forestry Projects:
Tree Canopy Analysis ($40K)
Urban Forest Strategy ($150K) – conditional on grant funding.
Supplementals Not Yet Approved
Some items were discussed but not included in the budget, such as:
Maple Bay Wharf repairs ($850K, 2.22% tax increase).
Maple Bay Rowing Club roof ($430K, 1.12% tax increase).
Gateway signage ($186K total, 0.48% tax increase).
Various staffing requests (Communications Coordinator, Detachment Clerk, etc.).
Tax Mitigation Measures
To help reduce the tax burden, the municipality has:
Budgeted RCMP costs at 90% to save money.
Removed $134K in contributions to insurance & IT reserves.
Used IT reserves for server replacements.
Capital Spending ($5.7M from Taxes)
Parks accessibility upgrades ($25K)
Mary Street culvert replacement ($100K)
Crofton outdoor pool repairs ($277K)
Chemainus dog park relocation ($20K)
All of the Wishlist from staff have not been approved.
On February 26, 2025, North Cowichan’s council tackled a hefty agenda, wrestling with budget decisions that balanced fiscal restraint, community priorities, and green initiatives. Here’s a rundown of the key budget-related debates, who voted how, and what it means for taxpayers, based on the meeting transcript. Full meeting can be viewed here
1. Item 9.4: Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw No. 3998, 2025
What It’s About: This bylaw lets the municipality borrow short-term funds to keep operations humming while waiting for expected revenue (think taxes or grants). Amount unspecified, but a precaution, not a spending spree.
Debate: Councilor Findlay asked about interest rates and if a hypothetical $20 million loan was budgeted. Staff (Ms. Vetter) said rates were TBD and borrowing unlikely—low risk to the 2025 budget.
Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Impact: Keeps cash flow flexible without immediate taxpayer hit.
2. Item 10.1: Low Carbon Fuel Standard Credit Aggregation
What It’s About: North Cowichan has carbon credits from BC’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard—earned by reducing emissions—and wants to bundle them with other municipalities’ credits via the Community Energy Association to sell on the market. Proceeds go to the Climate Action and Energy Plan Reserve Fund. No cost to start, just potential revenue.
Debate: This sparked a lively tussle:
Councilor Findlay: “We have so few credits… I like the fact we can actually sell some potentially on the market,” he said (02:51:34.851 – 02:52:14.538). He backed it pragmatically—use what we’ve got—but grumbled about the “pay-to-pollute” vibe: “The idea of paying for pollution is maybe something our community doesn’t like” (02:52:18.578 – 02:52:23.312).
Councilor Manhas: Opposed, wanting more info from an upcoming energy forum, wary of market risks (02:52:31.949 – 02:52:59.777).
Councilor Caljouw: Asked if it’s about pooling credits for better returns—staff confirmed yes (02:52:59.777 – 02:53:19.600).
Staff (Mr. Farkas): Noted it’s a proven program with UBCM support; credits are from 2022-2024, sellable now or later (02:53:15.960 – 02:54:16.591).
Councilor Justice: Liked directing funds to climate goals (02:54:28.495 – 02:55:19.424).
Vote:For: Istace (moved), Justice (seconded), Findlay, Caljouw .
Against: Manhas .
Outcome: Passed 4-1.
Impact: No upfront cost, but revenue hinges on market demand—could be a budget win if it pans out.
3. Item 10.6: Recreation Infrastructure Borrowing
What It’s About: Borrowing $349,500 short-term for gym upgrades (equipment, flooring) and a $30,000 secure compound for vehicles, repaid by the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) within five years.
Debate:
Mayor Douglas: Confirmed CVRD covers it (04:01:35.594 – 04:01:43.394).
Councilor Findlay: Asked what the compound secures—vehicles, not gym gear, staff clarified (04:01:55.466 – 04:02:25.882).
Councilor Caljouw: Checked cost—$30,000 for fencing (04:02:36.718 – 04:02:50.726).
Vote: For: Istace (moved), Caljouw (seconded), Findlay, Justice, Manhas (no opposition).Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Impact: Budget-neutral thanks to CVRD; adds debt but no local tax burden.
5. Item 10.7: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Borrowing
What It’s About: Borrowing $339,830 short-term to electrify 12 light-duty vehicles, a refuse truck, and install chargers—repaid from municipal funds within five years. No carbon credits mentioned here.
Debate: Short, as Mayor Douglas pushed to skip rehashing prior talks (04:03:58.917 – 04:04:02.525).
Vote: For: Istace (moved), Caljouw (seconded), Justice,
Against: Manhas Findlay .
Outcome: Passed 4-2.
6. Item 10.8: RCMP Occupancy Agreement
What It’s About: A 10-year deal (renewable) for the RCMP to pay their share of a $22 million construction loan and ops costs—provincial funds, not local.
Debate:
Councilor Findlay: Confirmed it’s budgeted, asked about flat amortization—staff explained MFA’s 10-year rate lock (04:04:51.653 – 04:05:47.766).
Vote: For: Istace (moved), Justice (seconded), Findlay, Caljouw, Manhas (no opposition).Impact: Stabilizes budget with provincial cash; rate resets loom in a decade.
7. Item 4.2.3: Canada Day Grant for Chemainus Valley Historical Society
What It’s About: A $1,500 grant request for 2025 Canada Day after the Chemainus BIA bailed—needs budget tweaking since grant funds are maxed.
Debate:
Mayor Douglas: Suggested adding it to the financial plan (04:17:18.849 – 04:17:23.009).
Councilor Istace: Pushed community value (04:17:49.927 – 04:19:53.138).
Councilor Manhas: Balked at extra spending amid tax woes (04:20:03.738 – 04:20:18.307).
Councilor Findlay: Hesitated, suggested fundraising, but OK’d it if travel budgets were cut (04:20:51.093 – 04:22:24.244).
Staff: Proposed a future $3,500 buffer (04:19:19.406 – 04:19:23.639).
Vote:For: Justice (moved), Istace (seconded), Findlay, Caljouw (no opposition after debate).
Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Impact: Small budget tweak, offset by trimming council travel—community wins.
8. Notice of Motion: Surplus Property Review
What It’s About: Councilor Caljouw wants staff to list surplus properties, value them, and suggest sales, funneling proceeds to a reserve fund—debate’s next meeting.
Debate: None yet—just read out (04:23:56.598 – 04:24:58.634).
Vote: None yet.
Impact: Could boost future budgets if sales happen.
Who’s Who and How They Voted
Mayor Rob Douglas: Guided debates, didn’t vote (typical unless tied).
Councilor Findlay : Pragmatic—liked credits (10.1), cautious on spending.
Councilor Manhas: Budget hawk—opposed 10.1 and 10.7, softened on 4.2.3.
Councilor Caljouw: Revenue-focused—pushed surplus sales, backed all motions.
Councilor Istace: —moved most, all “for.”
Councilor Justice: Steady “for” votes, less vocal on bucks.
Sincerely, Team COAP